About Rooibos – South Africa’s Unique Red Bush

What Is Rooibos?

Rooibos (meaning “red bush”) is a unique South African plant that grows exclusively in the Cederberg mountains of the Western Cape. This broom-like shrub forms part of the indigenous fynbos biome and cannot be cultivated successfully anywhere else in the world.

The leaves of the Rooibos plant are harvested and processed to produce Rooibos tea — also known as red bush tea or red tea. Naturally caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants, Rooibos has become one of South Africa’s most recognised botanical exports.

Rooibos in South African History

Local communities in the Cederberg region discovered more than 300 years ago that Rooibos leaves could be brewed into a refreshing herbal tea. Traditionally, the plant was harvested by hand, bruised to release its natural compounds, fermented and dried in the sun — a process that is still followed today, now supported by modern quality control systems.

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.

Why Rooibos Is Unique

Rooibos is valued worldwide because it is:

Naturally caffeine-free
Low in tannins
Rich in antioxidants
Smooth and naturally sweet in flavour

Its distinctive honey-caramel taste with subtle woody and grassy notes makes it both refreshing and versatile.

Because Rooibos only grows in the Cederberg mountains, it is considered a geographically protected South African product, further strengthening its global reputation.

Annique Rooibos Quality Standards

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

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

In addition to traditional quality testing, Annique measures key natural compounds in Rooibos batches before conversion into skincare and wellness products. These include:

Polyphenols
Bioflavonoids
Aspalathin
Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity (ORAC)

This scientific approach ensures consistency and high standards across the Annique Rooibos product range.

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 novel and functional food ingredient.

This continued research reinforces Rooibos as one of South Africa’s most important botanical ingredients.