In this newsletter, read more about how you can make the upcoming Easter Weekend even more festive with a little help from Rooibos.

Learn more about a new study that makes interesting suggestions about how Rooibos can be used to treat type 2 diabetes.

We also turn to other parts of the world where Rooibos forms part of a chocolate offering at a new Gucci coffee shop experience. 

All this and more below! 

Make this Easter a feast for the senses by elevating your celebrations with a decadent Rooibos and chocolate tasting.

Pairing tea or herbal tisanes with chocolate is a culinary delight, which can help to unlock the more subtle flavours and aromas that you might not pick up when you enjoy tea or chocolate on its own.

Adele du Toit, spokesperson for the SA Rooibos Council (SARC), says Rooibos and chocolate make excellent Easter companions. “Both Rooibos and chocolate are associated with comfort, indulgence and reflection, which align with the spirit of Easter. Enjoying a cup of Rooibos and chocolate together can enhance these sentiments.

“They also share many similar characteristics – from the fruity, floral and nutty aromas to the slight levels of astringency, making them an ideal match.”

Click here to read more.

A recent study has shed light on the potential of Rooibos tea compounds in the management of type 2 diabetes. Researchers delved into the mechanisms of action of Rooibos tea, focusing on a protein called dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP-IV), crucial for insulin production.

In the investigation, 37 secondary metabolites present in Rooibos tea were scrutinized for their interaction with DPP-IV. The study uncovered two promising compounds, esculin and nothofagin, which exhibited significant potential in enhancing insulin production by interacting with DPP-IV.

The research findings, published in Scientific African, showcased that these compounds formed stable complexes with DPP-IV, potentially modulating the enzyme's activity. This interaction could lead to improved insulin production, offering hope for better management of type 2 diabetes.

This breakthrough could pave the way for the development of new drugs derived from Rooibos tea compounds, offering potential relief for individuals grappling with type 2 diabetes.

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Grid Coffee, a premium beverage chain, is collaborating with global fashion giant Gucci to launch a crossover cooperation in fashion and coffee culture in Sanlitun, Beijing, in response to the theme "Gucci Ancora".

Grid Coffee has upgraded and re-created its classic products, Salty Mocha and Salty Rooibos Chocolate, exclusively available from Monday to Sunday at the Gucci Ancora offline space and the Grid Coffee store, both in Sanlitun.

Salty Rooibos Chocolate incorporates 60 percent Dominican cocoa powder with Rooibos tea extract, paired with smooth and rich exclusive savory milk, bursting with pleasant tea fragrance and intense chocolate aroma, as if wandering through a cocoa forest filled with tea aroma, with hints of black tea fragrance lingering.

Click here to read more.

House of Rooibos, located in Clanwilliam, will be closed during the upcoming Easter weekend. Travellers and guests can take a look at their trading hours during the Easter period below:

Human Rights Day, 21 March 2024: 09:00 - 14:00
Easter Weekend, 29 March 2024 - 1 April 2024: Closed

To find out more about House of Rooibos, click here.