Rooibos Iced Tea

Name: Rooibos Iced Tea
Cuisine: South Africa
Ingredients: Rooibos tea bags — 6; Boiling water — 1 L (4 1/4 cups); Honey or sugar, to taste — 3 tbsp; Fresh lemon, sliced — 1; Fresh mint leaves, a small handful; Ice cubes, to serve

The Quirky Foodster Team

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (0)

Ingredients

Rooibos tea bags — 6
Boiling water — 1 L (4 1/4 cups)
Honey or sugar, to taste — 3 tbsp
Fresh lemon, sliced — 1
Fresh mint leaves, a small handful
Ice cubes, to serve

Method

Place the rooibos tea bags in a large heatproof jug and pour over the boiling water.
Steep for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags and stir in the honey or sugar while the tea is still warm, until dissolved.
Leave to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour until well chilled.
Add the lemon slices and mint leaves to the chilled tea.
Serve over plenty of ice in tall glasses, garnished with extra mint and lemon.

Introduction: Rooibos, meaning 'red bush', is a herbal tea unique to South Africa's Cederberg region, where it has been harvested by local Khoi communities for centuries and commercially cultivated since the early 20th century.

Cultural Background: Rooibos, meaning 'red bush', is a herbal tea unique to South Africa's Cederberg region, where it has been harvested by local Khoi communities for centuries and commercially cultivated since the early 20th century. Naturally caffeine-free, it is enjoyed hot throughout the year and, especially in the hot South African summer, chilled into a refreshing iced tea.

Tips: Rooibos won't turn bitter even if oversteeped, unlike black tea, so there's no need to rush removing the tea bags. Bruise the mint leaves lightly between your fingers before adding to release more aroma.

Variations: Add a splash of fresh orange juice or a few slices of fresh ginger for extra flavour, or serve with a sprig of fresh naartjie (tangerine) peel in summer. Use sugar or agave instead of honey for a fully vegan version.

Storage: Refrigerate in a covered jug for up to 3 days.

Reheating: The World Cookbook Project — South Africa — Full Recipes Page 48 Not applicable — this is a chilled drink.

Nutrition: Approx. 35 kcal, 0 g protein, 9 g carbohydrate, 0 g fat per serving.

FAQs:

Q: Is rooibos tea caffeine-free?

A: Yes, rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, making it suitable to enjoy any time of day.

Q: Can I use loose-leaf rooibos instead of tea bags?

A: Yes, use about 2 tablespoons of loose rooibos and strain well before chilling.