Pure Rooibos is the easy everyday caffeine-free cup, and the one thing worth knowing is that it likes a full rolling boil. Most leaf teas you would take off the boil, but rooibos is the opposite: it only gives up its deep red colour and natural sweetness at a proper 100C.
Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for the How to Brew Rooibos Tea recipe. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/recipes/rooibos/how-to-brew-pure-rooibos/
It is also forgiving, so there is no need to watch the clock; anywhere from five to eight minutes is fine and it will not turn bitter on you. It is sweet enough to drink as it is, but a slice of lemon sharpens it, or a dash of cold milk rounds it out the way it is often taken in South Africa.
You'll need
- 1 Loyd Pure Rooibos pyramid bag
- 250ml freshly drawn water, brought to a true rolling boil
- 1 thin slice of fresh unwaxed lemon (optional, the brighter finish)
- A small splash of cold whole milk, about 1 tbsp (optional, the Afrikaans-style finish; choose lemon OR milk, not both)
- 1 tsp acacia honey or raw blossom honey (optional, if your palate prefers sweeter)
Method
- Fill the kettle and bring it to a true rolling boil.
- Pre-warm the mug by half-filling it with hot water from the kettle, swirling once, and discarding the rinse.
- Drop the tea bag into the pre-warmed mug and pour the boiling water over it, filling to about 1cm below the rim.
- Cover the mug with a small saucer or a tea-cosy to hold the heat and the aromatics in as it brews.
- Steep, covered, for around six minutes.
- Lift the bag out with a teaspoon, pressing it once against the side, and discard.
- Finish to taste with a slice of lemon, a splash of cold milk, or a teaspoon of honey, though most people drink it plain.
- Serve hot, with a plain biscuit or a slice of fruit cake if you like.
Want the background, not just the brew?
Brewed with: Loyd Pure Rooibos, 20 Tea Bags 40g
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