Whether you drink it strong, weak, milky or black – everyone loves a great leafy brew. Today marks International Tea Day, and South African celebs are keeping things local with homegrown rooibos tea.
Right after water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world, with around 2-billion people sipping on their favourite brew on any given day.
South African classic and a worldwide favourite, rooibos tea not only tastes great, but boasts a lengthly list of health benefits too. The plant is used in age-defying skin creams, cosmetics and shampoos.
The Western Cape exclusive botanical’s leaves aren’t only used for tea and beauty products – the flavour is used in various other creative ways. Find the refreshing taste of rooibos in gin, wine, vodka, ciders and even cocktails. The plant’s flavour also changes up yoghurts, ice creams, syrups and sauces.
In order to celebrate International Tea Day, SA celebs have revealed their favourite rooibos inspired recipes – just in time for the festive season. Ideal to impress the family or perfect to enjoy solo, try these rooibos-rich recipes this International Tea Day.
South African actress, Carine Rous, known for her roles in High Rollers and Isidingo, loves this refreshing rooibos tea punch.
Ingredients
15 rooibos tea bags
1 litre boiling water
1 litre cold water
250ml sugar
2 litre pineapple juice
1 litre apricot juice
250ml lemon juice
Bitters to taste
Method
Make a pot of Rooibos tea and add 15 tea bags. Add 250ml sugar to the hot Rooibos tea and let it cool. Add cold water, pineapple and apricot juice, as well as the lemon juice and bitters to taste. Enjoy chilled.
Author and motivational speaker, Angelique du Toit, is planning on bringing rooibos to the stove with a rooibos stew.
Ingredients
1kg breast of lamb, cut into portions
2 onions chopped
10ml curry powder
Pinch of ground gloves
Pinch of nutmeg
1 bayleaf
10ml salt
1 x 283g can of pineapple rings
125ml rooibos tea
125ml pineapple juice
Method
Brown the meat in in a heated, heavy-based saucepan. Pour off excess fat. Add onions and sauté, then add curry powder and the remaining seasonings and fry lightly. Add pineapple rings, heated rooibos tea and pineapple juice. Cover and simmer for about 90 minutes or until the meat is tender and soft.
A few other celebs keep their rooibos recipes slightly easier.
SA Surf Champion and 2016/2017 Big Wave Tour World Champ, Grant ‘Twig’ Baker keeps it simple by starting every day with a piping hot cup of rooibos tea, or an iced rooibos tea for warmer days.
South African actress and TV presenter, Roxy Burger, loves an almond milk rooibos latte, making for the perfect pre-workout drink.
Ex Miss SA, Amy Kleinhans-Curd, defies aging with a daily cup of rooibos tea, and won’t be skipping a cup this International Tea Day. Amy describes rooibos as one of South Africa’s most valuable natural treasures.
Photography Pexels