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Teapigs Honeybush and Rooibos is the South African plant tea duo, both indigenous Cape herbs, both caffeine free, both naturally sweet. Honeybush adds richer flavour to the more familiar rooibos base. The result is one of the most pleasant caffeine free everyday teas. Particularly good for evening drinking, pregnant women, and rooibos curious drinkers wanting more depth.
What is honeybush?
Honeybush (Cyclopia genistoides and related species) is indigenous to South Africa's Western Cape, related to rooibos but distinct. The flavour is sweeter and more honey like than rooibos, hence the name.
Like rooibos, honeybush is:
- Caffeine free.
- Naturally sweet.
- Low in tannins (no astringency).
- Antioxidant rich.
Honeybush is less commercially developed than rooibos but is gaining recognition.
The blend
Teapigs Honeybush and Rooibos contains:
- Rooibos.
- Honeybush.
- Sometimes additional spices (cinnamon, cardamom).
The combination delivers richer, more nuanced flavour than rooibos alone.
How it tastes
- Aroma: Honey floral with rooibos earthiness.
- First sip: Naturally sweet (more so than rooibos alone).
- Mid cup: Honey like notes from honeybush; warmth from rooibos.
- Finish: Smooth, soft, lingering sweetness.
- With milk: Excellent, a richer, sweeter alternative to standard British tea with milk.
Curator Rating: 4.9/5.
How to brew
- 1 temple bag in a mug.
- 200ml just boiled water.
- Cover the cup. Steep 5-7 minutes (longer extracts more depth, rooibos and honeybush don't over steep to bitterness).
- Drink unsweetened. Optionally with splash of milk.
Iced version
- 2 bags + 500ml cold water cold brewed 6 hours.
- Strain. Drink chilled with ice.
Latte version
- 1 bag + 200ml hot oat milk.
- Steep 5 minutes.
- Add maple syrup if desired.
Honeybush rooibos latte is one of the better caffeine free latte alternatives.
Why it works
No bitterness
Both rooibos and honeybush are low tannin. Can't over steep to bitterness, which is forgiving for casual brewers.
Naturally sweet
No sugar required. Useful for sugar managing drinkers.
Caffeine free
Suitable for any time, including bedtime, pregnancy, and caffeine sensitive drinkers.
Antioxidant load
Both plants contain useful antioxidants, aspalathin and nothofagin in rooibos; mangiferin in honeybush.
Use cases
Evening tea
Caffeine free + naturally sweet = perfect evening drink. Replaces black tea with milk in evening rituals without sleep disruption.
Pregnancy
Both rooibos and honeybush are pregnancy safe (no caffeine, no contraindicated compounds).
Children
Mild flavour, no caffeine. Good for kids over 1.
Caffeine reduction
For drinkers cutting caffeine, honeybush rooibos is a satisfying replacement.
Hot weather hydration
Cold brewed for summer. Naturally sweet without sugar.
Latte alternative
Caffeine free latte option for evening or pregnancy.
Compared to similar products
vs pure rooibos
Pure rooibos is more austere; honeybush adds sweetness and floral complexity.
vs Pukka Three Chamomile
Different flavour profile entirely. Chamomile is floral sweet; honeybush rooibos is honey earthy.
vs evening black tea + milk
This is the caffeine free version of "tea with milk" comfort. Doesn't replicate exactly but achieves similar comfort.
vs Yogi Honey Lavender
Yogi adds lavender; Teapigs is purer rooibos honeybush.
Caffeine
0mg.
Vegan
Yes, both plants are caffeine free indigenous herbs.
Pregnancy
Yes, both rooibos and honeybush are pregnancy safe.
Pairings
- Honey buttered scones.
- Shortbread.
- Cinnamon biscuits.
- Fruit cake.
- Honey on toast.
- Banana bread.
- Caramel desserts.
Pricing
Premium tier, typically 30-40p per bag.
Buying
Available at Waitrose, Whole Foods, online specialty retailers. Use /buy/teapigs honeybush rooibos/.
Pack sizes
- 15-bag (trial)
- 50-bag (regular)
Storage
Airtight tin or original packaging. Use within 12-18 months. Both rooibos and honeybush are relatively stable.
Who it's for
- Caffeine cutting drinkers.
- Pregnant women.
- Bedtime tea drinkers.
- Sugar managing drinkers.
- South African heritage drinkers.
- Children.
- Latte alternative seekers.
FAQ
What's honeybush? South African indigenous plant similar to rooibos with sweeter, more honey like flavour.
Caffeine? 0mg.
Pregnancy? Safe.
Vegan? Yes.
How long to steep? 5-7 minutes, won't over steep to bitterness.
Curator's note: Teapigs Honeybush and Rooibos is one of the better caffeine free daily teas, naturally sweet, no bitterness, suitable for any time. The honeybush adds richness over standard rooibos. Worth trying for evening drinking. Lee, Teas.co.uk, Tunbridge Wells.
The essentials: Teapigs honeybush and rooibos
| Aspect | The note |
|---|---|
| Product | Honeybush-and-rooibos blend in Teapigs temple-bag format |
| Brand | Teapigs, UK whole-leaf premium specialist |
| Honeybush | Cyclopia genistoides; rooibos relative; sweeter, more honey-floral |
| Rooibos | Aspalathus linearis; the sweet-nutty base |
| Caffeine | Zero |
| Format | Temple bag (whole-leaf pyramid); not crushed CTC dust |
| Buying signal | Whole-leaf temple-bag, the quality marker |
| Use case | Sweet caffeine-free comfort cup; for evening or post-meal |
Reference noted
Sensible options on the same shelf: English Breakfast, Earl Grey, green tea, loose leaf tea, Darjeeling, oolong, and herbal tea. For more, the full tea shop ships free across the UK over £35.
Rooibos & honeybush reading
Continue with rooibos tea, honeybush tea, Teapigs, Dragonfly pure rooibos, caffeine-free tea and herbal tea.
More from the tea wiki
- Green tea
- Black tea
- Oolong tea
- White tea
- Herbal tea
- Caffeine in tea
- How to make tea properly
- Loose leaf vs teabag
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