Red rooibos has been around for a couple of decades, and if you love herbal teas, there's a high chance you've already tried it. But have you tried green rooibos yet? With its Green Rooibos Tea bags and Loose Tea, Tick Tock made sure this tea type is now more available to herbal tea drinkers.
What is green rooibos?
Green rooibos is made from the South African Aspalathus linearis plant, just like red rooibos or red bush tea. Rooibos is very similar to the real tea. There are green and red types, similar to green and black tea. Red rooibos goes really well with milk, just like black tea, and green rooibos is better served without milk, just like green tea. And then, there's the flavour. Red rooibos is earthy and rich, while the green rooibos has a flavour similar to green tea, but without the grassiness.
Because of its similarity with real teas and a versatile flavour, rooibos often serves as a base for caffeine-free flavoured herbal blends.
But unlike real teas, rooibos, both green and red, will never become bitter, no matter how long you steep them for. And they are both caffeine free. If you don't like the flavour of red rooibos, don't automatically dismiss this type. The flavour is very different, and you may be pleasantly surprised.
Tick Tock Organic Green Rooibos
Although this tea type is available from specialised tea shops, it's not as readily available in supermarkets or in tea bags. Tick Tock is for sure changing that, by offering both options that can be found not only online, but in Tesco and Waitrose too.
Loose leaf green rooibos loose similar to red rooibos, except, it's yellow-greenish. Dry leaves have a less intense scent too, not as earthy but more herbaceous and much more neutral. You will need to use a fine-mesh strainer or a disposable tea filter for making this tea. This herbal tea has very small, fine leaves, which makes it very difficult to brew in many infuser mugs or teapots with a built-in strainer.
What does it taste like?
To make a cup of tea, you'll need 1-2 teaspoons of tea leaves and a cup of water. Steep it for 5-10 minutes in boiling water.
This tea tastes like a mellow green tea, but with absolutely no bitterness. Just like red rooibos, it cannot get bitter no matter how long you steep it for. Flavour is slightly earthy, with hints of boiled greens. Since there's no bitterness, only a very pleasant flavour, you don't need to add any condiments.
The best way to drink it is pure, hot or cold. You can also use it as a very neutral base for making iced teas and blend it with other ingredients. As a base tea, it will give colour and depth, but it will be quite neutral and capable of carrying different flavours – from zesty to sweet, even spicy.
If you love green teas or want to find a mild tasting herbal tea with no caffeine, this herbal tea is a great tea to try.
Tea Recap
Water or milk? Water.
Day or night? Day or night.
Hot or iced? Hot or iced.
Sweetened or Pure? Pure or with a teaspoon of sugar or honey.
Caffeine? No
What's the price? Starting from 2.25 GBP.
Where to buy? Get it from Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Tick Tock website, Waitrose, Tesco or Ocado.