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Foodies, Meet Your New Obsession: Rooibos Tea

South African import has lots of buzz and the requisite health claims

By Sarah Whitmire, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 25, 2011 1:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – Move over quinoa and acai berry. The next big thing in the culinary world just might be rooibos (roy-boss) tea. "It's a robust herbal tisane (not technically a tea), and its flavor has an almost tobacco-like, nutty quality," writes Jessica Grose at Slate. Full of antioxidants, the rooibos bush has been reported to cure everything from skin conditions to stomach cramps to cancer. Of course, there’s little by way of science to back up these claims, "but science rarely gets in the way of trends," writes Grose.

Rooibos is grown solely in a mountain region north of Cape Town, South Africa, and first reached American consumers in the early 2000’s. It's riding on the general surge in popularity of tea among aging boomers, and Grose predicts the buzz will only get stronger. The trendy food after that? "My vote has to go to the durian, the 'potent-smelling' fruit from Southeast Asia."

Rooibos tea from South Africa is catching on. (Shutterstock)

Rooibos tea has a "tobacco-like, nutty quality." (Shutterstock)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 14 comments

HotCopy

Jun 26, 2011 9:18 PM CDT

Rooibos is 2009. They are behind the curve.

professortech

Jun 26, 2011 9:04 PM CDT

I know very little about ribois tea but when the article states that "durian, the 'potent-smelling' fruit from Southeast Asia." is the next big "foodie" item I sort of doubt it. I have had the experience of sampling it and unfortunately the "potent smell" of rotting meat and purification makes it hard to enjoy whatever it tastes like. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Wiltie

Jun 26, 2011 4:00 AM CDT

Excellent & refreshing drink! For a comprehensive research perspective of the numerous positive qualities of Rooibos from independent sources, please ref: 1. http://www.sarooibos.co.za/health-mainmenu-48 2. http://www.cansa.org.za/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cmd=print_article&news_id=76429&cause_id=1056 3. Rooibos Research around the world: https://www.givengain.com/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cmd=cause_dir_news_item&cause_id=1056&news_id=79365&cat_id=867 4. Rooibos perspective: www.rooibosltd.co.za

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Foodies, Meet Your New Obsession: Rooibos Tea

South African import has lots of buzz and the requisite health claims

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

South Africa • tea • food trends • rooibos

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It 'presents me as a womanizer, philanderer,' says South African president

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Safari spots tender, cruel interaction

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Tweeters track cell phone of driver shut in trunk

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But the slumber of night owls isn't affected

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Tea-drinkers will get strongest Starbucks drinks in the world

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