In this newsletter, read more about how the popular UK-based brand TickTock is giving back to the local Rooibos community. 

We also bring you news about how Rooibos is gaining even more popularity in China. Find out exactly why this is the case in the story below.

In other news, Rooibos is being hailed as being the Pantone to watch this Spring/Summer fashion season according to fashion experts.

All this and more below!  

TickTock is arguably one of the most popular Rooibos brands in the United Kingdom. As an eminent brand, TickTock recoginses the importance of giving back to the community. As such, they are proud to support the Cederberg region - the only place in the world where Rooibos grows!

TickTock supports Elizabethfontein Primary, a truly inspiring school situated in the heartland of Rooibos country that serves around 300 students from the surrounding farming communities. Elizabethfontein Primary’s old kitchen needed a little love, so they funded a new stove and an upgrade to the facilities. The result: a happy hub, magic meals and much needed extra capacity. 

The school cooks love their “glamorous” new kitchen and have been cooking up a storm ever since!

Click here to read more.

While there currently exists no cure for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), preliminary studies with Rooibos extracts have shown that the tisane may be able to reduce the risk and onset of neurodegenerative diseases. 

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive illness that destroys memory and other important mental functions and affects an estimated 55 million people worldwide. 

In recent decades, there has been a significant rise in Alzheimer’s cases globally and in South Africa – largely due to unhealthy lifestyles - which often lead to chronic illnesses like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Another risk is old age. As life expectancy increases, more people are reaching ages where neurodegenerative diseases are becoming more common, necessitating the development of new, more effective therapies. 

Two prominent South African scientists, who have been studying Rooibos and brain health for several years, attribute the tisane’s neuroprotective effect to its unique combination of polyphenolic compounds, including other rare antioxidants, like Aspalathin and nothofagin, that help the body to detoxify and rid itself of harmful free radicals caused by oxidative stress.

Click here to read more. 

Red leads the way in the Pantone Fashion Colour Trend Report Spring/Summer 2024 edition for New York Fashion Week (NYFW).

According to the Pantone Colour Institute, the chosen colours for NYFW Spring/Summer 2024 are “infused with a hint of nostalgia yet at the same time speak to transformation as we embrace a more positive way of living,” said the company.

Specifically, a shade of red that is reminiscent of Rooibos is enjoying a lot of attention this fashion season. According to fashion experts, brands are trying their utmost to incorporate “Rooibos Tea Red” into their upcoming collections.

Click here to read more.  

With its herbal aroma and taste, and its deep red hue, this beverage is millions of South African's favorite cup of tea. Enjoyed (and almost expected) at kitchen tables, office meetings and cafes throughout the country, Rooibos tea has found its way to China and is being served with a dash of creativity. 

Kieran van Zyl, Rooibos Ltd’s representative for the Greater ASEAN Region, said that roughly 200 tons of Rooibos comes to China every year.  

"Demand has picked up recently, but we still have so much untapped potential. We started off at around 30 tons per year in 2018," he said. 

"Our consumers are mainly health-conscious individuals, as well as those who love the taste of tea but are sensitive to caffeine. Old people and children can also drink Rooibos without any risk, so this is also a great tea to serve to the whole family," said Van Zyl. 

Read the full article here.