The Legend of Rooibos Tea

African Rooibos tea has a long and interesting history that spans centuries...

Long, long ago in the rugged mountains where the exotic King Protea blooms and leopards prey, across the luscious plains of the southern tip of Africa (now known as the Cradle of Humankind), early man existed in harmony with his natural surroundings. To survive life-threatening ailments he unlocked Nature's treasure chest, consisting of the unique plants and herbs found in South Africa's Cape Floral Kingdom - a small, but very rich area of plant life.

Following the travels of the great explorers during the 16th and 17th centuries, illustrations of these unique South African indigenous plants, collectively called "Fynbos", appeared in publications of herbal remedies. A 'red bush' plant used by locals to create a delicious tea was said to have powerful healing properties. The fronds of fine needle-like leaves from this wild plant, which Dutch settlers later called 'rooibos', were cut and the leaves rolled in bunches which were transported in woven-grass bags down steep mountain slopes using donkeys. The leaves were sliced, shredded, and bruised with hammers before being dried in the sun.

Fascinated by this wild-grown Rooibos tea, an entrepreneur and doctor encouraged local farmers to cultivate it, paying them handsomely to collect the tiny, often elusive seeds. Soon enough, an aged Khoi woman chanced upon the secret pattern of seed dispersal. She followed ants dragging seeds back to their nest and discovered their store of hard labor, a granary of precious rooibos seeds. She visited this secret pantry numerous times, receiving a shilling for each matchbox she filled. Upon its production, word and popularity of Red Rooibos tea began to spread, and within ten years the price of seeds soared to an astounding 80 pounds (sterling) per pound - the most expensive vegetable seed in the world.

Thus the legend of Rooibos was born and this delectable, aromatic tea became a favorite among health-conscious people for its lack of caffeine, its mild tannins, its high levels of potent antioxidants, and other beneficial minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc magnesium and vitamin C.

In 2008, Dr. George Allibone and his wife June, inspired by their love of fine teas and their South African heritage, embarked on a journey to further enhance the rooibos herbal tea experience, delighting the palates of novices, tea lovers and connoisseurs around the world. They collaborated with South African farmers and pharmacists to create their own unique SUFFUSE range of Rooibos 'wellness' blends that tap further into Nature's medicine chest. By infusing other powerful health-giving indigenous plants from the unique Cape Floral Kingdom, they created a collection of delectably authentic, superior quality herbal tea blends.