Karoo Red Tea Kickstarter

OUR STORY:

Thank you for checking out Karoo Red Tea. We think you will be surprised just how good all natural and nothing artificial can really taste.

I found it interesting how we are drawn to sweeter things; it is at our very core.But the down side of favoring sweet usually means higher calories or even worse, artificial and processed ingredients.Not being a proponent of the diet zero calorie options or processed sugars, I asked why we couldn’t enjoy a real health choice without sacrificing taste and refreshment and that was all it took.

I discovered the power of Rooibos (pronounced Roy Boss) commonly known as red tea a few years back. Since then we’ve been shouting it’s praises to anyone willing to listen. Naturally caffeine free, Rooibos’ low tannin levels when compared to black tea or green tea products, and it’s high level of antioxidants makes red teaanother one of nature’s divine gifts that are so beneficial to a healthy lifestyle.

Expanding on a truly refreshing and novel tea beverage, I took the initiative to combine the tea with real fruit and Karoo Red Tea blended flavors were added to the selection. We’ve been working hard, perfecting the formula, designing a label, testing and sampling the product, locating a production facility and talking to retailers.And now we are ready to go!

The Breville One-Touch Tea Maker

Tweet Activated Rooibos Vending Machine

Isn't technology wonderful? This particular gadget comes to us courtesy of South Africa's BOS Ice Tea.

Adagio Teas - Best Tea Online

Rooibos Revisited

In addition to publishing Tea Guy Speaks, I'm a regular contributor to The English Tea Store blog. Here's an article I recently wrote for them. Click the link to read the full article.

Rooibos Revisited
By William I. Lengeman III

Rooibos is not for everyone (as the esteemed editor of this fine publication will confirm) but this herbal beverage that’s produced solely in South Africa is beloved by increasing numbers of consumers and has been much in the news lately. Rooibos is also known as redbush, for the deep reddish color of its fine leaves and the resulting liquid. It’s reputed to have a wide range of health benefits, though many of these have yet to be confirmed by actual research.

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Cuisinart TEA-100 PerfecTemp Programmable Tea Steeper

Tea Review 1 - Twinings Red Bush

No, it's not a misprint. This is actually our first tea review, as it appeared at the site nearly seven years ago. I thought I'd dig it out of the archive and present it again just for the fun of it.

Tea Review 1 - Twinings Red Bush
Red Bush Herb Tea
Twinings of London

Nothing can take the place of tea. Tea, in this case, meaning a beverage made by steeping the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant - in it's black, green, white or yellow formulations - in hot water.

A problem for some tea lovers - present company included - is that tea contains caffeine. For those of us who have a sensitivity to this substance, the pleasures of the tea are somewhat negatively affected. Yes, I know there are various and sundry decaffeinated teas, but I have yet to discover one that doesn't strip out much of the flavor when it removes the caffeine.

Which is where red bush, also known as rooibos, comes into the picture. While it's not quite a caffeine free substitute for black tea, it's close enough to fit the bill until something better comes along.

Rooibos is derived from the Aspalathus linearis plant, which is grown only in the Cedarberg region of South Africa. When brewed it makes a "tea" with a dark tan/reddish color not unlike some varieties of black tea, though with a sweeter and mellower taste.

Twinings of London, one of the bastions of the English tea trade, has been doing their thing since 1706, but only introduced their brand of rooibos in recent years. Unlike so many so-called herbal teas, Twinings' brand of red bush consists of one and only one ingredient - rooibos.

Twinings Red Bush is good for drinking as a hot tea. It has a nice, smooth taste and doesn't suffer from being steeped for longer than the recommended three to five minutes. It also makes a nice iced tea and is especially good when mixed with another type of herbal tea, preferably something fruity. I've found that peach works quite nicely in a ratio of two parts to one part red bush and I usually toss in some loose green tea to spice things up a bit.

Contents: 20 tea bags per box
I paid: $2.50 (sale price)

Republic of Tea Launches Be Active Teas

The Republic of Tea Announces
Launch of Be Active Teas Collection
(from a press release)

The Republic of Tea, leading purveyor of premium teas, today announces the launch of a new Be Active Teas collection, five organic green Rooibos-based teas: Get Restored, Get Hydrated, Get Limber, Get Burning, And Get Active. Each tea in the Be Active Teas collection is blended with organic green Rooibos, sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, which retains more of its antioxidant value due to a flash fermentation process. It is the perfect base to this active line of teas for people with active lifestyles. Each blend is designed with specific results in mind from energy and flexibility, to metabolism, hydration, and a speedy recovery from a vigorous workout.

The Republic of Tea exclusively supplies green rooibos tea from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, specifically Zeekoevlei Gardens in South Africa. Available now, each tea in the Be Active Teas collection is all-natural, naturally caffeine-free and Certified Gluten-Free.

Each tea in the Be Active Teas collection is available in a recyclable tin containing 36 all-natural, unbleached, round tea bags free of unnecessary strings, tags and staples. It has a suggested retail price of $12. It is available nationwide at natural and specialty food stores, cafes and through the company website.

Cuisinart TEA-100 PerfecTemp Programmable Tea Steeper

Red Bush Tea Goes Green

Red Bush Tea Goes Green
(from a press release)

The Rainforest Alliance is pleased to announce that a group of South African farms growing rooibos -- also known as red bush tea -- have earned Rainforest Alliance certification. In addition to being a first for this crop type, the farms are also the first to become Rainforest Alliance CertifiedTM in South Africa.

The farms in Zeekoevlei Grootport and Driefontein produce rooibos for Rooibos Ltd, whose marketing arm in the USA is Herbal Teas International. The rooibos range carrying the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal is now available in all major supermarkets throughout Europe and North America.

Rooibos is already known for its health benefits -- relieving digestive illness and promoting healthy skin, teeth and bones. Consumers can now be reassured that it is also healthy for the environment. Farms that achieve Rainforest Alliance certification have met the environmental, social and economic standards of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN). The SAN standards cover ecosystem conservation, worker rights and safety, wildlife protection, water and soil conservation, agrochemical reduction, decent housing, and legal wages and contracts for workers.

Tea Guy Speaks Amazon Store

Yerba Mate, Yaupon & Rooibos

Here are a few bits from our Tea-like Substances That Are Not Camellia Sinensis bureau.

When it comes to the yerba mate market in these here United States it would seem that Guayaki has got a large chunk of it. But it's not all about money for this bunch of mate purveyors, at least not according to co-founder, Chris Mann, who recently shared some thoughts about other motivations for being in business.

If memory serves me right, Guayaki also operates a yerba mate cafe - appropriately enough. They are joined in this unusual venture by the Top Leaf Mate Bar, in Bend, Oregon. More about the latter here.

Yaupon tea is a new one on me. If you're also in the dark and you'd like to know what it is, check out an article that recently appeared in the The Gainesville Sun.

Looking for a Quick Fruit Loaf recipe that uses rooibos tea? You're in luck.

Adagio Teas triniTea Tea Maker
Zarafina Tea Maker Suite

Video: Tetley Red Tea Commercial

Here's an artfully done commercial for Tetley's Red (rooibos) Tea. Just turn off the sound and watch.



Adagio Teas triniTea Tea Maker
Zarafina Tea Maker Suite

Journey Away with Kalahari’s New Tea Experience

Journey Away with Kalahari’s New Tea Experience
(from a press release)

The re-launch of Kalahari Limited’s distinctive e-commerce web site, comes just in time to help current and aspiring tea lovers journey away from the recession. Redesigned by Polar Design, the new site offers a visual journey on par with the smoothness of the South African red teas Kalahari offers. Whether your compass leads you to a relaxing cup of caffeine free, anti-oxidant rich Rooibos tea, or spicy, blended Oolong teas, the new website will help you find the right brew. Site travelers can enjoy an immersive flash presentation that links them to roadside assistance in the form of tea articles, tea tips, a links page with resources about South Africa, and a newsletter sign up option to stay in touch.

With the new site, Kalahari is also launching two new lines of tea: ChocoLatté tea and Safari Lullaby red tea. For any dessert lovers, the new ChocoLatté tea serves as a healthy treat blended with roasted cacao nibs adding a new rich flavor. The Safari Lullaby red tea provides a perfect blend of chamomile and spearmint, helping soothe any stressful day.

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tea, green tea, food, food and drink

Tetley Red Tea Launches In Canada

Tetley Brings Centuries Old African Secret to Canada With the Launch of New Tetley Red Tea
(from a press release)

A secret no more! Healthful, antioxidant-rich Red Tea, made from the rooibos plant exclusively found in the Cedarberg Mountains of South Africa, was first encountered by European botanists and brought to the "Old World" more than 300 years ago.

Now Tetley, Canada's tea leader, is set to re-introduce Africa's best kept secret with the launch of its exclusive new range of 100 per cent pure, antioxidant-rich and naturally caffeine-free Tetley Red Tea. Three exceptionally delicious flavours are set to hit Canadian store shelves starting October 2008 and include: Tetley Red Tea Pure Rooibos, Tetley Red Tea Vanilla and Tetley Red Tea Red Berry.

Expertly blended by Tetley, new Tetley Red Tea captures the essence of Africa at an affordable price. A unique and deliciously aromatic blend of the highest quality rooibos, new Tetley Red Tea is steeped in Tetley's 171-year tea-making tradition. An indulgent experience, its rich aroma and deep red colour come to life with an earthy flavour, featuring faint mineral tones and natural subtle sweetness; along with the unquestionable understanding that every cup delivers soothing, healthful refreshment.

Tetley Red Tea, made from authentic South African rooibos, is available across Canada in the tea aisle of most grocery stores, in a convenient 96 g box with 40 tea bags ($4.99). Tetley Red Tea Pure Rooibos, Tetley Red Tea Vanilla and Tetley Red Tea Red Berry come in 40g canisters with 20 tea bags ($3.29). All three are ideal for savouring at home or at the office and perfect for keeping you hydrated.

Tetley Red Tea

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tea, green tea, food, food and drink

Clinical Trial Shows Cardiovascular Benefits for Rooibos

Clinical Trial Shows Cardiovascular Benefits for Rooibos, Popular Antioxidant Herbal Tea from South Africa
(from a press release)

The first-ever human clinical trial on a popular traditional South African herbal tea was recently conducted, testing whether the tea can possibly lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The new trial also generated the first human safety data in a controlled clinical trial environment, scientifically showing that short-term consumption of rooibos tea is safe for the liver and kidneys while keeping various blood parameters (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol levels, etc.) in a normal range.

Provisional results from this study indicate that rooibos tea protects the body against oxidative damage, as seen by the approximate 21% decrease in conjugated dienes in the blood. Conjugated dienes are products formed in large numbers during the early stages of oxidation (destruction) of important cellular components such as fats (lipids). These lipid peroxidation products may be implicated in the development of vascular disease.

The trial (entitled “Modulation of blood oxidative stress markers and DNA damage by rooibos tea in volunteers at risk for coronary heart disease”) was conducted by Jeanine L. Marnewick (PhD), senior researcher at the Oxidative Stress Research Centre at Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town, South Africa.

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tea, green tea, food, food and drink

Two Leaves and a Bud Introduces Organic Rooibos

Two Leaves and a Bud Tea Company to Introduce Organic African Rooibos Tea and the Trust Organic Small Farmers Co-op at The Natural Products Expo West Show
(from a press release)

Two Leaves and a Bud, the tea company with whole leaf organic tea sachets for "a better cuppa' tea", is pleased to announce the introduction of Organic African Sunset Red Tea. This rooibos (red bush or red tea) caffeine-free herbal tea will be supplied by a small farmers' cooperative in South Africa; it will be the first tea launched in North America from The Trust Organic Small Farmers Alliance (TOSFA).

The TOSFA is a unique initiative, founded by producers, traders and non-government organizations (NGOs) from around the world. The TOSFA works within existing Fair Trade labeling and organic certification procedures to help small farmers overcome the disadvantages that they face. African Sunset tea will debut at Expo West Natural Products Show, March 14-16 2008.

Other exciting company developments include the introduction of three new Super Fruit Teas and the conversion to Certified Organic of White Rose (White Peony) and High Mountain Chai.

African Sunset is a 100% organic herbal tea blend, which includes organic rooibos (red tea), organic lemongrass and lemon peel. Rooibos is a naturally caffeine free tea and like green tea, contains significant amounts of antioxidants, iron, potassium, magnesium, copper, calcium, manganese and fluoride.

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tea, green tea, food, food and drink

Red Espresso & Tiny Teapots

I wrote about Red Espresso some time back but here's an article from the Raleigh News & Observer that jogged my memory. Contrary to what the name might suggest, Red Espresso has nothing to do with coffee. It's actually made with rooibos. For more info, check out the Red Espresso site here.

If you ever in the mood for a really modest amount of tea, here's the teapot for you. It's made by the Chinese master potter Wu Ruishen and is billed as the world's smallest.

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tea, green tea, food, food and drink

Tea Review 84 - Snapple Red Tea

Mandarin Orange Red Tea
Snapple

As a general rule, bottled tea doesn't float my boat. I can sum up my reasons pretty succinctly - too sweet. There are exceptions, but they're few and far between.

Given that, I wasn't prepared to be impressed by Snapple's new line of red teas, which are made with rooibos, an herb grown in South Africa. But I figured I'd try to keep an open mind.

Snapple Red is available in Acai Mixed Berry, Peach Pomegranate, and Mandarin Tangerine flavors. I sampled the latter. According to the label, Snapple Red "contributes to a healthy immune system." Yeah, whatever. Ingredients include crystalline fructose sugar and pear juice concentrate, among others. Rooibos is number five on the ingredients list, oddly enough. I'm not sure what to make of that.

As I drank this one, I kept telling myself I could taste the rooibos, but I wasn't really sure that I could. The tangerine flavor was a bit more pronounced, but overall things were pretty understated and - surprise - not over sweetened. This one's also caffeine-free, for what it's worth.

Not too bad, but I think it would probably go down a lot better on a blazing summer day, as opposed to a frigid winter night.

I doubt that I'll seek out another Snapple Red, but if I was really hot and thirsty I probably wouldn't turn one down.


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tea, green tea, food, food and drink, Snapple, rooibos

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Red Tea, Redbush, Rooibos

Call it whatever you will, but rooibos, the South African herbal "tea" is gaining more adherents all the time. Newsweek recently favored it with a brief article, which you can read here.

The Atlanta paper recently profiled the businessman who's behind a brand of rooibos tea called 10 Degrees South. Read that article here.

While we're on the subject, read this brief bit from the Detroit Free Press on Snapple's move into the red tea arena. Check the goods out at Snapple's page, here.

Image: Snapple

tea, green tea, food, food and drink, rooibos, redbush, red tea

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Tea Review 80 - Rishi Rooibos (x2)

Jamaica Red Bush
Blueberry Rooibos
Rishi Tea

I've never been much of a fan of flavored tea. That's tea, in the strictest sense of the word, as in the beverage made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. But when it comes to rooibos and its African cousin, honey bush, it's a different story. While I can drink either one plain, in my opinion, they both benefit from the judicious addition of flavorings.

Which Rishi Tea does quite nicely, at least with the two flavors under consideration here. What caught my attention with both of these blends is how strong and fresh the flavoring is. In each case, when I opened the package, I was nearly bowled over by the aroma - and I mean that in a good way.

Jamaica Red Bush was a little less to my liking than the blueberry, but that's a matter of personal taste. Its a blend of organic ingredients, including rooibos, hibiscus, honey bush, lemongrass, schizandra berries (a new one on me), rosehips, licorice root, orange peel, natural passion fruit flavor, natural essential oils of orange, tangerine and clove, and natural mango flavor (sheesh). The overall aroma and taste of this one tends toward citrus and it's very nice.

But it's the Blueberry Rooibos that made me sit up and take notice. These Rishi guys are on to something with this one. It's a blend of rooibos, blueberries, schizandra berries, hibiscus, natural blueberry and strawberry flavors. The interesting touch here is that the blueberries are real or, as the packaging puts it - "real wild blueberries."

As a result, the aroma is so strong that you could actually use it as potpourri if you didn't care to drink it. Or you could do both. I made some into a batch of iced tea and the smell permeated the entire apartment. Oh, and it tastes good too.

Recommended on both counts, with a very high recommendation for the Blueberry Rooibos.

Image: Rishi Tea

tea, green tea, food, food and drink, Rishi, rooibos

Only the finest imported teas at Golden Moon Tea

Black Gold & Red Espresso

No, we're not going over to the dark side here at TGS. But there's a new movie that has to do with the other hot drink (you know the one) and that seemed worthy of a mention.

It's called Black Gold and it takes a look at how your cup of coffee makes its way to your breakfast table or your local Starbucks counter or whatever the case may be.

The Sundance Film Festival's concise take on the movie, which is posted at the Black Gold site, reads thusly:

"Black Gold is a moving and eye-opening look into the 80-billion-dollar global coffee industry, where the spoils of overpriced lattes and cappuccinos are sparsely shared with the farmers who make it all possible."

Speaking of coffee, how does a tea espresso grab you? Huh? What?

In the strictest sense of the word, red espresso isn't a tea drink, given the fact that it's made with Rooibos, the South African "herbal" tea also known as redbush. But let's not split hairs.

I guess it remains to be seen whether there's a market for this sort of thing, although the company's Web site indicates that the product is already available at some South African cafes.

Image: Red Espresso

tea, green tea, food, food and drink, Black Gold, espresso

Only the finest imported teas at Golden Moon Tea

Vodka Recipes & Rooibos Recipes

Some time back I wrote about a green tea-flavored vodka from Charbay Winery and Distillery. While nosing around at their Web site recently, I ran across a page that list recipes for three cocktails made using this particular spirit. There's the Angèle Green Tea Cooler, the Charbay Green Teani and the Mochi Cocktail.

Over at Simpson & Vail's Web site, they have an iced tea recipe that uses vodka and Rooibos, or redbush, an herbal "tea" from South Africa. Also at their Rooibos recipes page are various recipes for drinks, cocktails, desserts, soups and main dishes. Rooibos Fudge, anyone?

tea, food, food and drink, Rooibos, vodka, recipes

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Tea Review 43 - Kombucha Wonder Drink Rooibos Red Peach

Kombucha Wonder Drink Rooibos Red Peach
Kombucha Wonder Drink

I was hanging around my humble tea house (tea apartment, actually) the other day, minding my own business, when who should arrive but a jolly portly old guy in a red suit bearing the two newest flavors from Kombucha Wonder Drink.

Okay, it was actually a brown suit and the guy wasn't particularly jolly or portly. He was actually rather young, now that you mention it, and isn't it a bitch trying to sign your name on that big clunky electronic clipboard thingy with that little fake pen?

But I was happy to take a crack at sampling the latest KWD flavors, no matter how they arrived, and the Rooibos Red Peach was certainly no disappointment. The ingredients in this one are kombucha from Rooibos, organic cane sugar and natural red peach essence.

I was expecting the kombucha to overpower the other flavors, especially when I caught a big whiff of that distinctive sour aroma while pouring the goods into a glass.

But the taste is actually rather mild and the Rooibos surprisingly prominent. As for the peach, I think it was there but maybe I was just succumbing to the power of suggestion.

Anyway, here's another winner from Kombucha Wonder Drink.

Recommended.

Tea Review 35 - Four Faces of Rooibos

Redbush Chai Tea
Yogi Tea

Red Chai at Night
Mango Rooibos
Ginger Roibos
Tempest Tea

Feeling a little twitchy? Indulging in too much of the old Camellia sinensis? Maybe it's time to take a break and try out some caffeine free Rooibos, one of a few herbal beverages that can stand in - sort of - for real tea.

I've had a bunch of Rooibos come my way lately. I reviewed several a while back and recently I rounded up the rest and had a tasting session.

First, the chais - which is kind of a tricky thing actually. I keep giving chai another chance, but to be honest, I really don't like it much.

So with that caveat, on to the Rooibos chais. First up, Redbush Chai, from Yogi Tea. This one comes in a tea bag and uses all organic ingredients, including cardamom, cinnamon bark, ginger root, clove bud and stevia leaf.

At the same time I brewed a loose leaf Rooibos chai from Tempest Tea called Red Chai at Night (clever). This one brewed to a darker color than the Yogi and with a fuller taste, though not as spicy. I could smell a little more cinnamon and could taste some of the Rooibos that was overpowered in the Yogi variety. Not bad for a chai.

Also up from Tempest was Rooibos Mango. This one is good, but the mango aroma and flavors are very subtle, at least to my leaden palate. Tempest's Ginger Rooibos was considerably less subtle, with a nice ginger bite complementing the Rooibos rather nicely. It no match for the king of all ginger teas - Traditional Medicinals' Ginger Aid - but it's quite good.