At Full Moon Tea Company, we love using unique herbal bases like honeybush and rooibos in our blends. These South African teas are naturally caffeine-free and bring rich flavors and health benefits to every cup. Here’s a guide to help you understand honeybush, green rooibos, and red rooibos, their origins, and how they differ.
Honeybush
Origin: South Africa, mainly in the Western and Eastern Cape regions
Description: Honeybush is a relative of rooibos, with a slightly sweeter and more aromatic profile. Its leaves are naturally fragrant with hints of honey, making it a smooth and soothing base for teas.
Flavor Profile: Sweet, naturally floral, slightly earthy Caffeine Level: None Uses: Ideal for herbal blends, chai bases, and calming evening teas
Why We Love It: Honeybush is naturally sweet and smooth, providing depth and a comforting aroma to blends like our Apple-achian Chai.
Red Rooibos
Origin: Cederberg Mountains, Western Cape, South Africa
Description: Red rooibos is fermented, giving it a deep reddish-brown color and a rich, full-bodied flavor. It’s one of the most popular herbal teas worldwide due to its smooth taste and versatility.
Flavor Profile: Nutty, slightly sweet, earthy, full-bodied Caffeine Level: None Uses: Perfect for latte-style teas, spiced blends, and naturally sweet infusions
Why We Love It: Red rooibos provides a robust, warming base that pairs well with spices, fruits, and creamy milk.
Green Rooibos
Origin: Same region as red rooibos, but unfermented
Description: Green rooibos skips the fermentation step, preserving higher antioxidant levels and giving the tea a lighter, fresher flavor. It has a more herbal, grassy taste than red rooibos.
Flavor Profile: Light, herbal, fresh, slightly vegetal Caffeine Level: None Uses: Great for delicate blends, iced teas, and teas that highlight fruit or floral notes
Why We Love It: Green rooibos has a subtle, crisp taste and retains more antioxidants, making it a healthier, refreshing base.
In Summary
- Honeybush: Sweet, floral, aromatic, naturally caffeine-free
- Red Rooibos: Nutty, rich, full-bodied, naturally caffeine-free
- Green Rooibos: Light, fresh, herbal, high in antioxidants, naturally caffeine-free
Each of these South African teas brings its own character to Full Moon Tea Company blends, offering naturally caffeine-free options with unique flavors and health benefits. Whether you prefer smooth sweetness, rich earthiness, or a light herbal note, there’s a rooibos or honeybush tea to suit your taste.
