Rooibos: the caffeine-free herbal tea that rivals the finest blends
No caffeine. No bitterness. No complicated rules. Rooibos is the drink for those who want to treat themselves without overthinking it — at any hour of the day or night.
Strictly speaking, it isn't actually a tea. Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is a South African shrub with no relation to the Camellia sinensis plant. Technically, we should call it a "rooibos herbal tea". But between us — what really matters is what's in the cup.
Why rooibos has become a must-have
Rooibos has taken Europe by storm over the past decade. At Teatower, it's one of our best-selling categories. Here's why:
- Completely caffeine-free — Enjoy a cup at 10pm without a second thought. Safe during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and for children too
- Rich in antioxidants — Aspalanthin, a unique antioxidant found only in rooibos, exists in no other plant on earth
- Naturally smooth — No need for sugar. Rooibos has a natural roundness with gentle vanilla notes and absolutely no bitterness
- A good source of minerals — Calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron. Not in medicinal quantities, but a welcome daily bonus
- Great for digestion — Traditionally used in South Africa to soothe colic in babies
How to brew it (it couldn't be simpler)
Unlike green tea, rooibos is virtually indestructible. Boiling water, 5–7 minutes of steeping, and you're done. You simply cannot go wrong.
| Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 100°C — fully boiling water, no hesitation |
| Steeping time | 5 to 7 minutes — the longer, the smoother |
| Quantity | 2–3g per 250ml (a generous teaspoon) |
| Caffeine | 0% — zero, zilch, none |
Trevor's tip: Rooibos takes brilliantly to milk. A vanilla rooibos with a splash of oat milk makes for a wonderfully comforting caffeine-free latte.
Our 5 favourite rooibos blends
🍫 ChocoLatte — Coffee, Vanilla & White Chocolate
Our best-selling rooibos. Perfect for those who love coffee but want to skip the caffeine. Indulgent notes of white chocolate and vanilla over a creamy rooibos base. The rooibos that converts the sceptics.
⭐ 4.64/5 (58 reviews) — Discover ChocoLatte
✨ Étoiles Filantes — Cinnamon, Anise & Chamomile
The ultimate cosy-evening rooibos herbal tea. Warm cinnamon, gentle anise, soothing chamomile. Perfect for evenings curled up under a blanket when the world can wait.
⭐ 4.44/5 (52 reviews) — Discover Étoiles Filantes
🎄 Gourmandise de Noël — Almond
Yes, we sell it all year round (and no, it's not just for December). Almond and rooibos make an irresistible pairing — gentle, indulgent, and completely guilt-free.
⭐ 4.64/5 — Browse all our rooibos blends
🍑 Organic Vineyard Peach
A fruity, summery take on rooibos. Vineyard peach brings a luscious, juicy sweetness to the blend. Exceptional as an iced tea — one of the best-selling cold brews in our summer collection.
🌺 Pure Rooibos
For the purists. Rooibos in its simplest form — woody, gently honeyed, naturally smooth. The perfect base for crafting your own blends at home.
Iced rooibos: the ultimate summer recipe
- Steep 4 teaspoons of rooibos in 500ml of boiling water for 7 minutes
- Add 1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
- Leave to cool, then refrigerate for 2–3 hours
- Serve over ice with a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint
The result: a naturally sweet, caffeine-free, virtually calorie-free drink (honey aside) that's so refreshing you'll forget soft drinks ever existed.
Rooibos vs Tea: an honest comparison
| Rooibos | Green Tea | Black Tea | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | 0% | Moderate | High |
| Bitterness | None | If brewed incorrectly | If brewed incorrectly |
| Temperature | 100°C | 70–80°C | 90–95°C |
| Steeping tolerance | 5–10 min, no problem | 3 min max | 5 min max |
| Evening drink | ✅ Perfect | ⚠️ Contains caffeine | ❌ High caffeine |
| Children | ✅ Suitable | ⚠️ Dilute first | ❌ Not recommended |
Trevor's take
"Rooibos is the most democratic drink in the world. No strict rules, no risk of getting it wrong, no caffeine. It's always the first thing I recommend to someone who thinks they don't like tea — because usually, what they don't like is the bitterness. And bitterness simply isn't in rooibos's vocabulary."
Come and taste for yourself in store: Waterloo, Namur, Liège — free tasting. Or order online with the code NEWSLETTER10 for 10% off.