Cederberg mountains with indigenous rooibos plants at golden hour, South Africa

About Rooibos

South Africa’s wonder herb — grown exclusively in the Cederberg mountains and prized worldwide for its naturally smooth flavour and antioxidant-rich profile.

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is not a true tea but a herbal infusion made from the needle-like leaves of a broom-like shrub that forms part of the indigenous fynbos biome. It cannot be cultivated successfully anywhere else in the world, which makes it one of South Africa’s most distinctive botanical treasures.

At Rooibos Products we supply the full Annique Rooibos range — the brand that pioneered Rooibos in skincare in 1968 and remains the world leader in Rooibos-based health and beauty products today.

What is Rooibos?

Rooibos means “red bush” in Afrikaans — a name that reflects the rich amber-red colour of the fermented leaves when brewed. The plant grows only in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape, where the unique climate and soil produce a herb unlike anything else on earth.

Harvested leaves are cut, bruised, fermented and sun-dried — a process followed for centuries by local communities and now supported by modern quality control. The result is Rooibos tea (red bush tea): naturally caffeine-free, low in tannins, and rich in antioxidants including the rare polyphenols aspalathin and nothofagin, found almost exclusively in Rooibos.

Its flavour is smooth and naturally sweet, with honey-caramel notes and subtle woody undertones — refreshing hot or iced, on its own or blended with herbs and fruit.

Caffeine-free

Naturally free of caffeine — suitable any time of day, including for children and before bed.

Low in tannins

Gentler than black or green tea, with less bitterness and no staining tannins.

Rich in antioxidants

Contains aspalathin and nothofagin — unique polyphenols that help fight free radical damage.

Geographically unique

Grows only in the Cederberg — a protected South African product with global reputation.

Rooibos in South African history

Local communities in the Cederberg discovered more than 300 years ago that Rooibos leaves could be brewed into a refreshing drink. Traditionally the plant was harvested by hand, bruised to release its natural compounds, fermented and dried in the sun — a process still followed today with modern equipment.

In 1772, European botanist Carl Thunberg documented Rooibos during his visit to the Cape. By the early 1900s, Benjamin Ginsberg recognised its commercial potential and became the first exporter of Rooibos tea, introducing this uniquely South African product to international markets.

The Annique discovery — 1968

In 1968, Dr Annique Theron warmed her allergic baby’s bottle with Rooibos tea and noticed a remarkable change — her daughter Lorinda slept peacefully for the first time. Dr Theron went on to research and promote Rooibos health benefits, publishing her findings and founding what would become Annique Rooibos.

Annique was the first company in the world to use Rooibos in skincare. Today, more than five decades later, Annique Rooibos products remain trusted for their antioxidant, soothing and anti-ageing benefits across skincare, body care, supplements and herbal teas.

Why Rooibos is valued worldwide

Research into Rooibos has grown significantly since the 1980s, when scientists identified powerful antioxidants including superoxide dismutase. South African research in 1995 verified a range of properties that help explain why Rooibos has been trusted for generations.

Anti-allergenic
Antioxidant
Anti-bacterial
Anti-inflammatory

Anti-viral
Anti-spasmodic
Anti-ageing
Contains no caffeine
Low tannin from pure Rooibos leaves

Annique measures key natural compounds — polyphenols, bioflavonoids, aspalathin and ORAC values — in Rooibos batches before conversion into skincare and wellness products, ensuring consistency across the range.

Annique Rooibos quality standards

Annique applies strict quality standards to ensure premium Rooibos tea and extract in every product:

No more than 0.5% dust per batch
Minimum 80% leaf-to-stick ratio
Tea is cut — never ground or hammer-milled
Each batch must pass a formalised taste evaluation

Annique sells only the finest quality Rooibos, including organic Rooibos in selected teas and infusions.

Ongoing Rooibos research

Annique is a proud member of the South African Rooibos Council (SARC), an independent organisation that promotes Rooibos responsibly and supports research initiatives.

Since 2016, SARC-funded research projects have involved national and international scientists, contributing to peer-reviewed publications, academic degrees and ongoing studies into Rooibos as a functional food ingredient. Recent research explores Rooibos bioactives — including aspalathin, quercetin, luteolin and nothofagin — and their role in reducing oxidative stress and supporting wellbeing.

This continued investment reinforces Rooibos as one of South Africa’s most important botanical ingredients — from the Cederberg mountains to skincare laboratories and teacups around the world.