African Solstice

Tea Forté's African Solstice contains elderberries, which add a fruity depth to this Rooibos tea and are also rich in antioxidants. Ruby red rosehips add an enticing balance of tart and sweet and are also rich in vitamin C, one of the safest and most effective immune-supporting nutrients.

African Solstice is a great anytime tea. Rooibos has a full-bodied flavor that is holds up to milk and sugar as a caffeine-free breakfast tea. Likewise, the hint of vanilla and berry add a touch of sweetness that can delight after dinner or for a mid-afternoon treat. Much less tannic than tea, rooibos is very easy on sensitive stomachs, and can easily be enjoyed with or without food. African Solstice pairs very well with rich flavors like caramel, meats and cheeses.

Afrikaans for "red bush," rooibos comes from the plant Aspalathus Linearis, which grows only in the Cedarberg area of the Western Cape province of South Africa. Rooibos has been consumed by Bushmen as an herbal remedy for centuries, but rooibos as we know it is a relatively recent invention. Techniques for producing Keemun black tea were imported from China and applied to rooibos in the early 20th century. A difficult plant to grow, cultivation techniques for Aspalathus Linearis weren't mastered until the 1930s.

Starting in the mid-20th century, rooibos consumption became very widespread in South Africa, spurred in part by beliefs that it can help with colic in babies. Generally consumed with milk and sugar in South Africa, rooibos has rapidly attained popularity in Europe and North America over the past decade or two, where it is often drunk without any additions.

 Read more about Rooibos Tea:

• All About Rooibos Tea
• The Benefits of Rooibos Tea
• Cocktail Recipe: African Solstice Cosmopolitan