The plant is similar to Rooibos and comes from the same basic family.  The leaves are collected and processed in the same way as Rooibos and once oxidised looks just alike.  It does, however, taste slightly sweeter than its cousin.  Other than that it has many of the same properties as Rooibos, including the fact it is caffeine-free and sugar free.

Honeybush is the same warm reddish brown color as Rooibos.

Like Rooibos, Honeybush is a rare plant that is unique to a very specific region in South Africa – but one that is slightly different from its red bush cousin.  Honeybush grows wild in the coastal districts of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, from Darling to Port Elizabeth. It is formally farmed in very few areas, the most prolific of those being in the mountains north of the Cape of Good Hope.

Longer than anyone can remember.  The use of Honeybush tea was first documented in 1705. In 1772 a Swedish botanist recorded that he found “honigtee” during one of his field trips in the Cape region.  The earliest record of Cape colonists using it as a medicinal plant dates back to 1830.

Yes, totally.  It contains no colourants, additives or preservatives.

No.  Despite its naturally sweet taste it’s totally sugar free and has no calories or kilojoules.

It rather depends on your own personal preference.  The standard method is to steep your Honeybush teabag in boiling water for 4-5 minutes.  Leave it in the water for longer to create a stronger and more flavorful beverage.  It is much lower in tannins that regular tea so a longer brewing will not produce any bitter aftertaste. 

Organic honeybush is grown without the use of any artificial fertilisers or pesticides. The organic status of the product is monitored by various international organizations that provide organic certification.

Yes, you can drink a cuppa and then add more water to the teabag (which you’ve left in your cup or pot) or put your strained leaves back into the pot then top it up with more boiling water.  You can do this two or three times – it’s a cuppa that keeps on giving!  

This is a matter of personal taste.  Rooibos is naturally sweet so you don’t need to add sugar.  But some people do prefer to add sugar or maybe honey.  Again, adding milk is a matter of personal preference.

Yes, just brew as normal and then chill it.  Or cold brew it (see below).

You just steep some Honeybush tea bags in a pitcher of cold water for about 12 hours in a refrigerator then enjoy as delicious iced Honeybush. 

Same process as cold brewed but you leave the pitcher in the sun for a couple of hours, then chill or serve with ice.

Basically it is Honeybush served with hot milk – a great bedtime treat as it’s caffeine-free.  There are different variations you can try but basically you brew a couple of Honeybush teabags in a small cup of water that’s just boiled.  Let it steep until you have a strong concentrate.  

You might (according to taste) add sugar, honey or maple syrup.  Maybe add some cinnamon or vanilla essence.  Add hot milk (you can froth it if you like) to your tea concentrate using a 1:1 ratio to ensure that the tea flavor stays strong. 

Yes, yes, yes!  You’ll find some very tempting Rocktail ideas if you visit our blog – just substitute Honeybush for Rooibos.

Absolutely.  It adds an extra depth of flavor to a wide variety of recipes from roasts to cakes and desserts to bread.  Check out our blog for recipes that rock – just substitute Honeybush for Rooibos.

You bet!  Just use your imagination or whet your appetite with the smoothie ideas on our blog – just substitute Honeybush for Rooibos.

Honeybush provides income and employment for the indigenous people who work on the farms in coastal districts of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces.  Most of these farms also provide housing and schooling for the local people.

Rooibos and Honeybush is sustainably and ethically farmed, supporting the local communities in the area it is grown and helps to provide housing and schooling for the local farming families.

Organic Honeybush is grown without the use of any artificial fertilisers or pesticides. The organic status of the product is monitored by various international organizations that provide organic certification.  Rooibos Rocks is certified organic and non-GMO by the US Department of Agriculture.