I have to be honest and start this review off with a disclaimer. I’ve never been a fan of red rooibos. I’ve tried so many different varieties and different brands, hoping to find the right red rooibos that will work with my taste buds. To me, red rooibos has this distinct medicinal woodsy flavor that I just can’t get past or can really describe very well. I have yet to find that perfect red rooibos blend that works for me.
What is kind of funny is that green rooibos and I are best buds. We hang out all the time and really enjoy each other’s company. I seek out green rooibos blends all the time and have to restrain myself for buying them all up and having a primarily green rooibos tea stash.
So when our samples for Rooi Life Red Rooibos arrived at my door, I thought I would put on my big girl pants and try again. I took a whiff of the blend itself and just couldn’t bring myself to brew the tea up straight. Took another moment to gather myself and sat down to check out their website to learn more about Rooi Life. As I was looking at all of the information they offer about red rooibos- I noticed they had a link for their blog with red rooibos iced tea recipes. I started to wonder if maybe that was the ticket for me liking red rooibos. So I brewed up their tea using their Rooibos Apple Tea Recipe.
Basically, the recipe is incredibly easy.
Mix the following ingredients in a large pitcher:
2 cups of Rooi Life Red Rooibos brewed & chilled. (I cold brewed mine)
1 cup apple juice
1/2 lemon, thinly sliced
Fresh Mint Leaves
2 apples thinly sliced
After mixing all the ingredients, I put the pitcher back in the fridge and allowed the concoction to develop the flavors for a bit. About an hour later, I again, put on my big girl pants yet again and poured myself and my husband a glass of this iced tea.
My husband really enjoyed the beverage and I have to admit, as red rooibos teas go, this one isn’t too bad. What I love is that the apple juice, apples, mint, and lemon notes do wonders to mute the red rooibos medicinal woodsy like flavor that I am not a fan of. I’m wondering if maybe I added in a bit more apple juice or hadn’t cold brewed the tea to begin with- if I wouldn’t have been happier with the blend.
All in all, I’m happy with how the brew turned out. Not sure if this is something I would make all the time or just on occasion, but it is always nice to change things up in your tea drinking routine every now and again. I never would have thought about adding in different fruits or juices to help make the red rooibos herb a bit more pleasing to my taste buds. Now I’m sure excited to see what other fun iced teas I can possible brew up and enjoy poolside this summer.
Here’s the scoop!
Leaf Type: Red Rooibos
Where to Buy: Rooi Life
Description
We sell Organic South African Rooibos Tea. Rooibos is a natural herb that is full of health! It is caffeine-free and low in tannin. It contains no additives or artificial preservatives. It contains a high concentration of anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins, with several health benefits to it.
