Nothing says summer like Strawberries and cream! Now, you don’t have to wait for the warm weather to enjoy its delicious taste with the Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company’s very own Rooibos tea concoction! Thoughts turn to summer afternoons at Wimbledon with mountains of fresh English strawberries and lashings of clotted cream. Shreds of coconut and strawberry pieces are also added to this Rooibos to create a wonderfully enticing looking tea. Rooibos shares a relatively young history with the tea industry compared to the likes of Green and Black tea. In fact, it was not until the 18th Century that a more widespread interest in the beverage was firmly established. Before then, however, Rooibos tea was consumed by the Khoisans – the native tribespeople of the Cederberg Region of South Africa. Originally used for herbal remedies within their communities, Rooibos tea played a vital role in the Khoisans’ culture until European settlers threatened their way of life. As the tribal populations dwindled, it seemed Rooibos tea might have soon been lost to the ages if it had not been for a miraculous revival of the beverage. This was mainly due to a botanist by the name of Carl Humberg, who rediscovered the Rooibos leaves in 1772. Over the next 150 years, Rooibos tea was saved from extinction and by 1904, a Russian immigrant with ties to tea manufacturing, Benjamin Ginsberg, began marketing the drink as a “Mountain tea” – a herbal alternative to normal tea. Since making a name for itself, the popularity in Rooibos consumption steadily increased during the 20th Century. By the Second World War, however, the industry saw a massive spike in sales as the western hemisphere began to rely upon Rooibos tea while the Asian Continent lay in turmoil. The Imperialist Japanese occupation of many tea growing regions in Asia meant Rooibos Tea’s demand far surpassed its availability. Retailers soon began having problems due to the high price of Rooibos seeds, which rose due to the plant’s scarcity. Balance would eventually be restored after the war’s conclusion but even today, Rooibos Tea is just as popular! In fact, the tea industry has seen a fifty percent increase in Rooibos demand in recent years alone! Useful Information Type of Tea: Loose Leaf Rooibos. Origin: The Cederberg Region, South Africa, Ingredients: Red bush tea, coconut shreds, natural flavourings, and freeze-dried strawberry pieces. Brewing Instructions: Brew with freshly boiled water and infuse for 5 to 10 minutes. How to Serve : Can be served with or without milk, soya milk works well. Tasting Notes: As smooth and creamy as you might expect, Rooibos Strawberries and Cream also has undertones of chocolate and marshmallow with a sweet vanilla aftertaste. Colour in Cup: Coppery liquor, dark in tone. Health Benefits of Rooibos : Health benefits for this Rooibos Strawberries and Cream include improved cardiovascular, immune and bone health, as well as the reduced risks of premature aging and even diabetes! Rooibos tea is also Caffeine Free and is considered an excellent alternative to Coffee if you are looking to cut down!
