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Let's talk about some tea that is actually not real tea but herbal one, but I think it surely deserves some attention in this mini guide, not only because of its high antioxidants content and gorgeous red colour. It is now spreading widely from South Africa -country of its origins, where it is very popular- to the rest of the world. Its name is rooibos, which in South African means "red bush". It's often called "bush tea" or "red tea" which, if you look at its infusion colour on my photo, quite justifies the given name.

The deep red-to-brown colour is provided by oxidizing the leaves of the bush, that grows only in small area 250km north of Cape Town in the Cederberg area. The naturally caffeine-free beverage contains -besides the above-mentioned antioxidants- also some iron, potassium, copper, calcium, zinc and magnesium, and it is believed to help fighting headaches, insomnia, nervous tension, nausea and stomach cramps. It also has a soothing effect on skin and last but not least, represents a great thirst-quencher.

And as if all that doesn't sound enough yet, let me tell you there are even more things rooibos can do. You can use it very efficiently in the kitchen: rooibos tenderizes the meat, so why not marinate it in its infusion next time? You can replace water or milk with rooibos when making desserts, marmalade and sauces. They say your potted plants will love it if you water them with leftover rooibos, so will your pets if you give them a rooibos bath which will relieve their eczema or simply pour some infusion over their food, to provide them with rooibos's healthy properties.
Sounds like an incredibly useful plant, doesn't it? Apparently, the rooibosmania contributed to another trend: in South Africa they are now serving red espresso, red latte and red capuccino. Mmmm, can't wait to try it!

With rooibos you can create great drinks, hot or cold; you just need some imagination.  I'd like to tease your taste buds a bit with a spicy rooibos blend, known as rooibos chai. It consists of rooibos, naturally, then cinnamon, ginger, citrus peels, anise seeds, peppercorns, cloves and green cardamom.

It's simple to prepare: boil a cup of water with all the ingredients but rooibos. When the water starts boiling, lower the fire and let it simmer for about 10 minutes in order to get the most of aroma from the spices, then add a teaspoon or two of rooibos and let it boil for a couple more minutes. Remove it from fire and cover with a lid. Strain after 5 minutes and once a bit cooled, sweeten it with some honey. Enjoy!
Note: You can even make the 2nd infusion; just pour cold water over the ingredients and boil for a bit longer.