Rooibos is a red herbal tea sourced from the fermented leaves of the Aspalathus linearis shrub, a native South African plant. So the South Africans introduced us to this tea, thanks for that – much appreciated. I can’t believe it took me half my life to find out about this tea.

Rooibos is a herbal tea but is not related to the black or green tea varieties; Rooibos tea is usually consumed the same as black tea, although I was introduced to this variety as a cold tea. Naturally sweet in flavour, nutty overtones combined with low tannin ensures a bitter taste is not experienced. I generally drink as a flavoured tea these days, I like the TWG Tea varieties, they have some great blends.

Whilst rooibos tea isn’t for everyone, I am happy to keep some pure origin at home as well some blended versions from TWG Tea and T2. I don’t much like black tea or breakfast tea and I really can’t drink green tea so rooibos is really my only choice. The waiter in TWG Tea in Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong in the Philippines introduced Mecky and myself to this tea and we are both eternally thankful.