Rooibos tea, often called red tea or red bush tea, is a beloved herbal infusion native to South Africa. Prized for its naturally sweet, earthy flavor and complete lack of caffeine, it’s a perfect choice for any time of day. Its versatility is remarkable, serving as a soothing solo cup or a robust base for creative blends with spices, fruits, and flavors from around the world.
With so many options available, from pure rooibos to inventive chai and dessert-inspired varieties, finding your favorite can be an enjoyable journey. This roundup highlights ten excellent rooibos teas, each offering a unique take on this antioxidant-rich herbal tea. Whether you prefer convenient bags or loose leaf, simple purity or complex spice, there’s a perfect cup waiting for you.
The Best Rooibos Tea Selections
- Celestial Seasonings Rooibos Madagascar Vanilla Herbal Tea
- Twinings Pure Rooibos Red Herbal Tea Bags
- Organic Positively Tea Company Root Beer Rooibos Loose Leaf
- Numi Organic Rooibos Chai Tea Bags
- Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice Herbal Tea
- Tazo Vanilla Caramel Chai Tea Bags
- Harney & Sons African Autumn Rooibos Tea Sachets
- Davidson’s Organics South African Rooibos Loose Leaf
- Yogi Tea Chai Rooibos Tea Bags
- The Republic of Tea Get Gorgeous Rooibos Tea
Celestial Seasonings Rooibos Madagascar Vanilla Herbal Tea
This blend pairs the inherent sweetness of rooibos with the rich, creamy flavor of vanilla. Sourced thoughtfully, it brings together two celebrated flavors from Africa for a smooth and comforting cup. It is completely caffeine-free, making it an ideal choice for a relaxing evening.
Celestial Seasonings is known for using quality ingredients without artificial flavors or colors. The result is a balanced and satisfying herbal tea that feels like a special treat. Its accessible flavor profile makes it a great introduction for those new to rooibos.
Twinings Pure Rooibos Red Herbal Tea Bags
For a taste of pure, unblended rooibos, Twinings offers a reliable and high-quality option. This tea delivers the characteristic slightly sweet, fresh, and woody notes that make red bush tea so popular. Each tea bag is individually wrapped to ensure maximum freshness wherever you take it.
Naturally caffeine-free, it can be enjoyed hot or brewed strong over ice for a refreshing cold drink. The convenient packaging in a pack of six means you’ll always have a supply on hand. It’s a straightforward and excellent representation of classic rooibos flavor.
Organic Positively Tea Company Root Beer Rooibos Loose Leaf
This creative and fun blend is a true conversation starter. It combines organic rooibos with licorice root, fennel, cloves, and natural flavors to recreate the nostalgic taste of a classic root beer. It’s a completely caffeine-free herbal infusion that’s both surprising and satisfying.
As a loose leaf tea, it allows for customization of strength and makes a brilliant iced tea. The USDA Organic certification provides assurance of quality ingredients. It’s a perfect choice for those looking for a dessert-like tea experience without any caffeine.
Numi Organic Rooibos Chai Tea Bags
Numi’s Rooibos Chai offers the warm, spicy experience of chai without any caffeine. Earthy rooibos forms the base, which is then infused with cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cardamom, and clove. The result is a full-bodied, smooth cup with no bitterness or astringency.
This tea is microplastic-free and provides a soothing, aromatic drink that can be enjoyed with or without milk. It’s an excellent option for evenings or for anyone sensitive to caffeine who still wants a robust and spicy beverage. The rich flavor is both comforting and complex.
Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice Herbal Tea
While not a pure rooibos, this beloved herbal chai is a standout caffeine-free option that fans of spiced tea should consider. It’s a vibrant blend brimming with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves, creating a warming and aromatic cup.
Its robust spice profile makes it an excellent candidate for preparing with milk and a sweetener for a traditional chai latte experience. Sourced from quality ingredients without artificial flavors, it’s a consistently satisfying and flavorful herbal choice that has earned a dedicated following.
Tazo Vanilla Caramel Chai Tea Bags
This blend from Tazo combines the invigorating spices of chai with the sweet, dessert-like notes of vanilla and caramel. The tea bags are individually wrapped to preserve the rich and aromatic flavors until you’re ready to brew.
It’s designed to be a flavorful and slightly indulgent tea experience. While it contains caffeine from black tea, its inclusion here is for those seeking a chai flavor profile, with the suggestion that rooibos chai blends offer a similar spice experience without caffeine.
Harney & Sons African Autumn Rooibos Tea Sachets
African Autumn is a beautifully crafted herbal blend that highlights rooibos with accents of cranberry and citrus. The result is a bright, fruity, and slightly tart infusion that is both refreshing and caffeine-free. It brews to a lovely red-gold color.
Harney & Sons uses full-leaf tea in their pyramid sachets, which allows for better water flow and a more robust flavor extraction than standard tea bags. This tea is a sophisticated choice that feels special, perfect for afternoon tea or as a calming evening drink.
Davidson’s Organics South African Rooibos Loose Leaf
This is pure, unblended rooibos in a generous 16-ounce loose leaf format. Sourced directly from South Africa, it offers an authentic, robust, and earthy brew with natural sweet notes. Buying in bulk is economical for daily drinkers.
Davidson’s is a vertically integrated organic grower, ensuring quality from leaf to cup. The tea is USDA Certified Organic, non-GMO, and sustainably farmed. Loose leaf preparation gives you control over the strength of your tea and is ideal for making a full pot.
Yogi Tea Chai Rooibos Tea Bags
Yogi’s Chai Rooibos combines antioxidant-rich rooibos with a traditional Ayurvedic spice blend of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and clove. All ingredients are certified organic, supporting a holistic approach to wellness. The tea is naturally caffeine-free.
The brand recommends a longer steep time of seven minutes to allow the full depth of the spices and rooibos to develop. This results in a particularly flavorful and aromatic cup. It’s a thoughtful blend for those seeking the benefits of both rooibos and warming chai spices.
The Republic of Tea Get Gorgeous Rooibos Tea
This blend from The Republic of Tea is formulated with beauty and wellness in mind. It features rooibos as a base, known for its antioxidants, and is combined with other botanicals chosen for their beneficial properties. The specific ingredient list highlights a focus on internal health that reflects outwardly.
It provides a caffeine-free ritual that supports a self-care routine. The tea is designed to be both enjoyable to drink and supportive of your well-being, making your daily tea time feel like a positive step in your day.
What to Look For in the 10 Best Rooibos Teas to Try
When I’m picking out a new rooibos to add to my cupboard, I think about a few key things that really make a difference in my cup. First, I always check if it’s green or red rooibos. Red rooibos is the classic one you see everywhere—it’s oxidized, which gives it that deep amber color and sweet, earthy, slightly nutty flavor. Green rooibos is unoxidized, much like green tea compared to black. It’s more delicate, grassy, and slightly less sweet. If you want a mellower, more “tea-like” experience, green rooibos is a fantastic choice among the 10 best rooibos teas to try.
Next, I look at whether it’s pure or blended. A high-quality, pure rooibos is a beautiful thing. The leaves should look whole and uniform, not like dusty powder at the bottom of a bag. A good pure rooibos is naturally sweet and smooth, with no bitterness. Then there are the blends. Rooibos is like a blank canvas, so it’s often mixed with spices, fruits, flowers, and even chocolate. I love a chai-spiced rooibos on a cold day or a citrusy blend for an afternoon pick-me-up. Think about the flavors you generally enjoy.
Origin matters more than you might think. Almost all rooibos comes from a small region in South Africa’s Cederberg mountains. Some brands are very specific about their sourcing, which can mean better quality control and fairer practices for the farmers. I tend to lean towards brands that are transparent about where their rooibos is grown.
Finally, consider the format: loose leaf vs. bagged. I prefer loose leaf because the pieces are usually larger and higher quality, leading to a more flavorful brew. But a well-made bag with plenty of room for the leaves to expand is a perfectly convenient and tasty option, especially for at the office. My biggest tip? Read the ingredient list. If you’re getting a vanilla rooibos, it should list “natural vanilla flavor” or vanilla beans, not just “flavor.” The cleaner the ingredients, the better and more authentic the taste will be in your cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does rooibos tea have caffeine?
This is the number one question I get, and the answer is a big, comforting no. Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free. It’s not a true tea (from the Camellia sinensis plant); it’s an herb. That makes it my absolute go-to drink for any time of day or night. I can have a big mug in the evening without worrying it’ll keep me awake, which is a huge plus.
How do you brew the perfect cup of rooibos?
Rooibos is wonderfully forgiving, which is part of why I love it. Because there’s no caffeine, you can’t over-extract bitterness. I use freshly boiled water and steep it for at least 5 to 7 minutes. For loose leaf, I might even go up to 10 minutes for a really robust flavor. Don’t be shy with the steep time—it brings out the full sweetness and depth. And unlike some teas, it stays smooth even if it gets cold.
Can I add milk and sweetener to rooibos?
Absolutely, and I often do! Its naturally sweet, earthy profile pairs really well with a splash of milk or a dollop of honey. It’s a classic way to enjoy it in South Africa. I find vanilla or dessert-inspired rooibos blends are especially good with a bit of milk. Think of it like a herbal tea that can stand in for a black tea in many recipes. It makes a great latte, too.
What are the health benefits people talk about?
Rooibos is packed with antioxidants, which is a great start. Many folks drink it to help with digestion or as a calming, anti-inflammatory drink. While I enjoy it primarily for the taste, it’s nice to know it’s doing some good. It’s also low in tannins, so it won’t interfere with iron absorption like some true teas can. As always, it’s not a miracle cure, but it’s a very healthy beverage choice.
Where should I start if I’m new to rooibos?
If you’re building your own list of the 10 best rooibos teas to try, I’d suggest starting with a high-quality, pure red rooibos. This lets you taste the authentic, natural flavor of the herb itself. Once you know what the base tastes like, you can better appreciate how blends change it. From there, maybe try a popular blend like a vanilla or citrus rooibos, and then perhaps a green rooibos to taste the difference. It’s a fun and tasty journey.