ARIEL Green Rooibos

Green Rooibos is the fresher, lighter side of South Africa's famous red bush. It comes from the same plant as red rooibos, but the leaves are left unoxidised – which keeps their green colour and gives a cleaner, more delicate cup. Naturally caffeine-free and softly sweet, it pours a clear amber and drinks light and refreshing.

Tasting Notes

The cup is a bright amber and smells fresh and grassy, with a touch of honey. Green rooibos is lighter and more herbaceous than the red – gently sweet, a little green and hay-like, with a clean, smooth finish and no bitterness however long it steeps. It's delicate on its own, takes honey nicely, and makes a crisp, refreshing iced tea.

Origin

Like red rooibos, green rooibos grows only in the Cederberg region north of Cape Town, in rocky soils and a hot, dry climate found nowhere else. The difference is in the making: the freshly cut leaves are dried without oxidising, which locks in their green colour and fresh, delicate flavour rather than the deeper, sweeter notes oxidation brings to the red.

Brewing

Bring fresh water to 95 °C and steep 2.5 g (about one teaspoon) for 5 to 7 minutes. Green rooibos is forgiving – it won't turn bitter, so give it the full time for the fullest flavour and colour; the same leaves give a second cup.

Additional Information

• Ingredients: Green rooibos leaves.
• Formats: 100 g loose leaf, 1 kg loose leaf
• Caffeine: Caffeine-free
• Certifications: Kosher
• Foundation: Humaniterra Foundation