South African rooibos, lemon, honey & fresh mint
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) grows only in the Cederberg Mountains of South Africa's Western Cape. The Khoikhoi people were harvesting and fermenting the leaves for tea hundreds of years before European colonists discovered it in the 18th century. Today it is South Africa's most valuable food export.
Rooibos does not become bitter with over-steeping, unlike regular tea — you can steep as long as you like. For a Cape Malay-inspired version, add a cinnamon stick and 3 cardamom pods to the steep. Rooibos also makes an extraordinary base for a vanilla cream soda: steep strong, sweeten, add vanilla extract and top with soda water.