Grannys Garden Strawberry Rooibos

Most of us will have fond memories of sitting in our grandparent’s garden; gorging on strawberries and cream while innocently watching the world go by so why not relive those simpler times with the Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company’s very own Granny’s Garden tea?

This colourful red Rooibos is complemented with pieces of Strawberry and Raspberry, allowing all those magical moments to come flooding back, in the blink of an eye! The only noticeable difference will likely be that this indulgent infusion is one of the healthiest desserts you could possibly imagine!

Accounting for this beverage’s nostalgic name, it seems to be all too fitting that the modern history of Rooibos recounts the story of Annique Theron, a South African Doctor widely known as ‘the grandmother of Rooibos.’ This unofficial title is largely due to the 1968 publication of her book, Allergies: An Amazing Discovery, which she wrote after personally experiencing the true potential of this seemingly insignificant shrub/herb.

Unique to the Cederberg Region of South Africa, the leaves of the Rooibos shrub had long since been consumed by the Khoisans – the indigenous population found scattered across the nearby mountains.

For centuries, the tribespeople had drunk Rooibos tea as an herbal remedy, but had no real understanding as to why the herb was so beneficial. However, when European colonists started to encroach on their territory, the Khoisan tribes began to dwindle in numbers, resulting in their culture, slowly but surely, fading into obscurity.

It was not until 1772 that a Swedish botanist by the name of Carl Thunberg revived a more widespread interest in the tea-like drink. Over the course of the next 130 years, Rooibos Tea became increasingly popular across South Africa and beyond, yet it would not be until 1904 that its true destiny was truly set in stone. This came in the form of a Russian immigrant with ties to tea manufacturing, who began marketing Rooibos as a ‘herbal alternative’ to traditional Green and Black Teas.

This new-found potential would be later reinforced with the outbreak of the Second World War, when many Chinese teas become almost impossible to import due to the large-scale Japanese occupation of much of the Asian continent. Rooibos Tea was in high demand across the Western Hemisphere, but as the conflict continued, suppliers found it increasingly difficult to obtain sufficient quantities of the tea due to the scarcity of the plant! During this period, prices would quickly rise to record highs as everyone wanted to get their hands on this delicious and revitalising brew!

The Rooibos market slumped after the war, as the importing of Chinese teas became common practice once more. However, its story was not over yet. With balance restored to the industry, the Rooibos bush was yet again free to grow in abundance across the Cederberg Region. On the warm afternoon of April 8th, 1968, Annique Theron was struggling with her 14 month old baby, Lorinda, who was greatly suffering from allergies. She had been hungry and so Dr. Theron made the decision to warm up her milk with Rooibos tea. Soon after, Lorinda was able to sleep for three hours straight without any affect from her allergies! Amazed by her discovery, Annique had unknowingly started a new movement that would see Rooibos tea rise to fame once more.

Her book would be read across the world, with a number of scientific studies supporting her claims soon after. Thanks to her incredible work, demand in Rooibos tea has increased by more than 50% in recent years alone! Who would have believed that from such humble beginnings, Rooibos tea would have become the ground-breaking blend that it is today? One thing is for sure, we thank Dr. Theron for her service!

Type of Tea: Loose Leaf Rooibos (Aspalathus Linearis).

Origin: The Cederberg Region, South Africa.

Ingredients: Rooibos tea, Natural Flavouring, Freeze-dried Strawberry, Blackberry and Raspberry pieces, and wild Strawberry leaves.

Brewing Instructions: Brew using freshly boiled water and infuse for 8 to 10 minutes.

How to Serve: For those who may have a sweet-tooth, the addition of honey or sugar can really bring out the dessert-like flavours of this beverage. However, if you are ‘sweet enough’, Granny’s Garden tea can also be served as it is.

Tasting Notes: Before you have your first sip, take a moment to enjoy the wonderful aroma of this beverage as it wafts from your cup. Savour the strong flavours of berries and delicate floral notes, before indulging on its sweet, irresistible aftertaste.  

Colour in Cup: Deep red liquor, dark in tone.

Benefits of Drinking Rooibos: As Annique Theron and countless other scientific studies have proven, Rooibos tea is a great choice for those suffering from allergies. However, there is so much more to this brew when consumed as part of a healthy and active lifestyle. These benefits include: improved cardiovascular health, lower risks of diabetes, antispasmodic properties, and even reducing the signs of premature aging!