In this newsletter, we read more about Rooibos brewing tips provided by a chemistry professor. Check her suggested steps out below and try your hand at creating the perfect cup of tea.

We also find out more about a recent address delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the SA-Austria Business Forum. In his address, he specifically highlighted the growing demand for Rooibos in the EU.

In other news, we discover how Rooibos can be a nutritive aid in cancer support. 

All this and more below! 

Brewing the perfect cup of tea is about more than flavour – it’s a delicate blend of ritual, comfort and chemistry. According to chemistry professor Michelle Francl, author of Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea, every cup is packed with hundreds of compounds that influence its taste, aroma, and health benefits.

While Francl’s book explores the molecular makeup of traditional teas like black and green, Rooibos offers its own fascinating profile. Unlike Camellia sinensis, which contains caffeine and other stimulants, Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free and instead produces trigonelline – an alkaloid also found in coffee that may help regulate blood sugar.

This gives Rooibos its signature calm, smooth character. It’s also lower in tannins, making it less astringent and naturally sweeter. Like all teas and tisanes, Rooibos contains aromatic compounds such as linalool and geraniol, responsible for its floral, fragrant notes – strongest when freshly brewed.

Click here to find out how she suggests you brew the perfect cup of Rooibos.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently addressed the SA–Austria Business Forum, an important platform aimed at boosting trade and investment between the two countries.

In his speech, he singled out Rooibos as one of South Africa’s standout speciality products, highlighting its growing popularity in the European Union. He noted that demand for products like Rooibos continues to rise across EU markets, and that South African producers are well-positioned – and eager – to scale up exports to meet this interest.

His remarks reinforce Rooibos’s value not just as a local favourite, but as a product of global significance.

Click here to read more.

Health coach Claire Nielsen recently wrote a piece for Richmond News highlighting foods with potential cancer-fighting properties. Among the nutrient-rich options she lists is Rooibos tea – recognised for its high antioxidant content and long-standing place in natural health traditions.

Rooibos is mentioned alongside other anti-carcinogenic foods such as berries, turmeric, broccoli and green tea, reinforcing its value as part of a supportive, health-conscious diet.

Click here to read the full article. 

In a recent Village Life article exploring the importance of daily hydration, Rooibos was highlighted as a healthy, caffeine-free alternative to plain water.

While drinking enough fluids is vital for energy, clarity and overall wellbeing, many people find plain water uninspiring. The article suggests jazzing it up with citrus, mint or berries – or turning to herbal teas like Rooibos for a more flavourful option.

Whether served hot or iced, Rooibos offers a gentle, enjoyable way to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Click here to read the full article.