Tea-lovers from around the world will be breaking out the fine china on the 15th of December in celebration of International Tea Day.
Next to water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world and can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. In fact, on any given day around 2 billion people sip on the brew.
Homegrown rooibos tea, known for its abundant health benefits, is a firm favourite among South Africans and tea connoisseurs the world-over. It can be enjoyed in a myriad of ways – hot or cold and is becoming very popular in wine, gin, vodka, cider and cocktails, and is used as a flavour enhancer in yoghurt, ice creams, syrups, sauces, foods and more.
It is also considered an essential ingredient in beauty products and can be found in age-defying skin creams, cosmetics, shampoos, soaps and fragrances, and comes in countless still and sparkling iced tea varieties.
According to Ernest du Toit, a Director of the SA Rooibos Council, rooibos tea, which is exclusively grown in the Cederberg region, is becoming one of the fastest-growing beverages in the drinks market globally.
“Worldwide consumption of rooibos is at around 15 000 tons per annum and the growing demand for the product has pushed exports up to more than 7 000 tons per year. If both export and local volumes were sold and enjoyed as pure rooibos, it would equate to roughly 6 billion cups of rooibos tea per annum.”
South Africa exports rooibos tea to over 30 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, UK and US. Germany still remains by far the biggest importer of rooibos tea at 31%, with the Netherlands at 16% and Japan at 15%.
Du Toit highlights that the new-found appreciation of fine tea, has led to a rush in establishing smart tea bars and tea shops which are popping up on every street corner and has also resulted in a renewed interest in and a growing demand for rooibos.
“Tea is becoming the new coffee of the 21st century,” he remarks. “Tea-lovers are no longer content with indifferent mass-market tea. They are graduating to higher-quality tea bags and choice loose leaves, and tea companies are responding by offering an ever-wider variety of teas. Packers, sellers, exporters, along with people who sell tea-making equipment and publish books and blogs on tea are benefiting from the tea-revolution. Given the passion for, and the variety and expertise that already exists for wine, beer, coffee and even bottled water, it was inevitable that tea would be next on the list. And, wherever you look, rooibos seems to be taking centre stage.”
Whether you’ll be throwing a bash or celebrating International Tea Day solo, try any of these great ideas to make the day ‘to-tea-lly’ awesome:
Spice things up by impressing friends and family with any of the deliciously decadent rooibos cocktail recipes found on www.sarooibos.co.za
This rooibos liqueur recipe is ideal for the day and can also be served as a special festive season tipple:
ROOIBOS LIQUEUR
Ingredients
· 750ml Brandy
· 2 cloves
· 2 sticks of cinnamon
· 750ml strong, hot Rooibos
· 600g white sugar (750ml)
· 25ml honey
Method
· Add cloves and cinnamon to the brandy, shake the bottle and allow it to infuse overnight.
· Heat sugar and Rooibos tea over moderate heat until sugar has dissolved.
· Boil uncovered for 20 minutes.
· Remove from heat and stir in honey.
· Remove cloves and cinnamon from the brandy.
· Add the brandy to the tea syrup and mix well.
· Pour into sterilized bottles and seal.
Here’s how local celebrities Carine Rous (actress), AJ Calitz (SA’s Ultra Trail Champion), Amy Kleinhans-Curd (ex Miss SA), Roxy Burger (actress and TV presenter), Grant ‘Twig’ Baker (SA Surfing Champion), Angelique du Toit (author and motivational speaker), Jean-Marc Louis (SA Skateboarding Champion) and Sade Giliberti (TV presenter and voice-over artist) all plan on celebrating International Tea Day with rooibos:
SA actress, Carine Rous, known for her roles in High Rollers and Isidingo, plans on making a refreshing rooibos tea punch – one of her favourite rooibos iced tea recipes. Here’s how you make it:
Rooibos Tea Punch
15 Rooibos tea bags
1l boiling water
1l cold water
250ml sugar
2l pineapple juice
1l apricot juice
250ml lemon juice
Bitters to taste
Make a pot of Rooibos tea and add 15 tea bags. Add 250ml sugar to the hot Rooibos tea and let it cool. Add cold water, pineapple and apricot juice, as well as the lemon juice and bitters to taste. Enjoy chilled!
