Organic Green Rooibos Tea 200g, loose leaf

<p>This <strong>Skimmelberg Organic Green Rooibos Tea 200g, loose leaf</strong> is made from the same South African Rooibos plant, <em>Aspalathus linearis</em>, as classic red Rooibos. The key difference lies in the processing: with Green Rooibos, oxidation after harvesting is kept to a minimum. As a result, its flavour remains less sweet, with green, lightly grassy and subtly brisk notes, while a higher proportion of certain natural plant compounds is retained.</p>

<p>Skimmelberg grows the Rooibos on its own farms in the Cederberg and processes it itself. The loose 200g pack is ideal for anyone who prefers Rooibos with a less sweet flavour profile and distinct green, lightly grassy notes.</p>

<h2>What is the difference between Green Rooibos and red Rooibos?</h2>

<p><strong>Green and red Rooibos come from the same plant. The key difference lies in the processing: oxidation after harvesting is kept to a minimum for Green Rooibos. This gives Green Rooibos green, lightly grassy and subtly brisk notes and makes it less sweet than red Rooibos.</strong></p>

<p>The different processing methods affect not only colour and flavour. Green Rooibos also contains higher levels of certain natural polyphenols, particularly aspalathin, than classic red Rooibos.</p>

<p>During the production of red Rooibos, some of the aspalathin and other plant compounds are chemically transformed through oxidation. At the same time, the characteristic reddish-brown colour develops and the flavour profile changes towards the warmer, rounder and sweeter-tasting notes associated with classic red Rooibos.</p>

<p>Because oxidation is kept to a minimum, Green Rooibos remains closer to the original character of the Rooibos plant. This is why two teas made from the same plant can taste distinctly different.</p>

<h2>What does Green Rooibos taste like?</h2>

<p><strong>Green Rooibos has green, lightly grassy and subtly brisk notes and is less sweet than red Rooibos. Its infusion remains noticeably lighter, usually with a pale yellow to golden colour.</strong></p>

<p>While red Rooibos is characterised more strongly by warm, rounded aromas reminiscent of honey and caramel, Green Rooibos retains more of the fresh, green character of the plant.</p>

<p>No flavourings or other plants are added. This allows the natural difference between Green and red Rooibos to be experienced directly in the cup.</p>

<h2>Is Green Rooibos the same as green tea?</h2>

<p><strong>No. Green Rooibos and green tea come from different plants. Green Rooibos is made from <em>Aspalathus linearis</em> and is naturally caffeine-free. Green tea, by contrast, comes from the tea plant <em>Camellia sinensis</em> and naturally contains caffeine.</strong></p>

<p>In both products, the word “green” refers to a processing method in which extensive oxidation of the plant material is avoided. Botanically, however, Green Rooibos and green tea are unrelated.</p>

<p>They also differ in flavour. Although Green Rooibos can also have fresh and lightly grassy notes, it does not have the characteristic taste of traditional green tea.</p>

<h2>Why does Green Rooibos contain more aspalathin?</h2>

<p><strong>Aspalathin is a natural plant compound found in Rooibos that is particularly sensitive to oxidation. Because oxidation is kept to a minimum after harvesting Green Rooibos, more aspalathin is retained than in classic red Rooibos.</strong></p>

<p>In red Rooibos, part of the aspalathin is transformed into other compounds during processing. These chemical changes are among the processes involved in the development of the characteristic reddish-brown colour of red Rooibos.</p>

<p>Green and red Rooibos therefore differ not only in flavour, but also in the composition of their naturally occurring plant compounds.</p>

<h2>Where does this Green Rooibos come from?</h2>

<p><strong>Skimmelberg grows this Green Rooibos on its own farms in the Cederberg region of South Africa and processes it itself. This makes its origin traceable from the Rooibos field through to the finished tea.</strong></p>

<p>Skimmelberg’s family-run farms are located in the Western Cape within the natural Rooibos-growing region. Rooibos is closely associated with this particular area of South Africa.</p>

<p>For Green Rooibos, the processing immediately after harvesting is particularly important. Natural oxidation of the plant material must be kept to a minimum so that the Rooibos does not undergo the same changes as the classic red variety and retains its green character.</p>

<h2>How do I prepare loose Green Rooibos?</h2>

<p><strong>Loose Green Rooibos can be infused with hot water and left to steep for about five minutes or longer. Unlike traditional green tea, Green Rooibos does not need to be removed from the water after only a few minutes to avoid strong bitterness.</strong></p>

<p>Place the desired amount of Green Rooibos in a tea infuser, filter or directly into a teapot and pour over hot water. Around five minutes is a good starting point for the colour, aroma and flavour to develop sufficiently.</p>

<ul>
    <li>Use Green Rooibos according to your preferred strength</li>
    <li>Pour over hot water</li>
    <li>Steep for about 5 minutes or longer</li>
    <li>Steep longer for a stronger flavour</li>
    <li>Also enjoy chilled or as a cold brew</li>
</ul>

<p>A longer steeping time makes the Green Rooibos stronger. The short steeping times commonly used for traditional green tea do not need to be applied to Green Rooibos, as the two teas come from different plants.</p>

<h2>Can Green Rooibos also be cold brewed?</h2>

<p><strong>Yes. Green Rooibos is also suitable for cold brewing. With a longer steeping time, its green, lightly grassy character can also develop in cold water.</strong></p>

<p>Simply combine the loose Green Rooibos with cold water and leave it to infuse in the refrigerator for several hours. Its less sweet flavour profile with green and lightly grassy notes makes it particularly refreshing as a cold brew.</p>

<h2>Ingredients</h2>

<p><strong>100% organic Green Rooibos</strong></p>