For companies that want to expand their caffeine-free tea offerings, rooibos vs honeybush is a comparison worth exploring. Both of these South African herbal infusions have gained international attention for their ability to stand alone or serve as vital components in tea blending. While they share some similarities, each offers unique characteristics that can enhance your product lineup.
Rooibos vs Honeybush: What is rooibos tea?
Rooibos, meaning “red bush” in Afrikaans, comes from the Aspalathus linearis plant native to South Africa’s Cederberg region. During fermentation, it develops its signature reddish-brown color and a rich, earthy flavor, with mildly nutty and naturally sweet undertones. There is also green rooibos, an unfermented version with a lighter, grassier flavor. Naturally caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants, rooibos is ideal for health-conscientious blends and year-round retail offerings.
Rooibos at RTNY
You can find rooibos in a few places on our offerings sheet. We source both red and green rooibos, and we feature the ingredient in a few different blends. One of our favorites is Apple Cider Rooibos, a tea that blends together the comforting flavors of rooibos, cinnamon, and apple spice.
Rooibos vs Honeybush: What is honeybush tea?
Honeybush tea comes from the Cyclopia plant, known for its honey-scented, yellow flowers and naturally sweet, floral aroma. Once fermented, honeybush develops a smooth, slightly dessert-like flavor, reminiscent of honey and caramel. It’s smooth and not bitter, even when steeped for longer periods of time. When comparing honeybush vs rooibos, it doesn’t have quite as strong of an earthy flavor as rooibos does.
Honeybush at RTNY
Like our rooibos, our honeybush is grown in South Africa. It’s a great caffeine-free option, enjoyable on its own or blended with other ingredients. We love it in our Pumpkin Spice Chai, where warming notes of ginger and cinnamon meet over a bed of honeybush for a dessert-like herbal blend.
Can rooibos and honeybush work together?
Absolutely! The two have similar flavor profiles, but the slight differences in their undertones make them quite complementary. For example, our most popular holiday blend, Peppermint White Chocolate, uses a combination of rooibos and honeybush as a base for roasted cacao nibs and white chocolate flavor. Also available in sachets, this rooibos/honeybush tea blend is perfect as a scrumptious, calorie-free treat to tickle one’s sweet tooth.
Final Thoughts
With more customers reaching for caffeine-free, functional teas, rooibos and honeybush are great additions to your tea program. Whether your offer one or both, these favorites check all the right boxes: flavorful, healthful, and on trend with what today’s tea drinkers are looking for.
