After including this iced tea photo in a recent blog, I realized that this naturally caffeine-free tea was worthy of its own post.
Today I rhapsodize over African Solstice Tea, one of the fastest growing herbals in popularity among the nation’s tea drinkers. I found it in an assortment of Tea Forte bags after I’d used all the other blends in the box. What a pleasant surprise. I had unintentionally saved the best for last.
I’ve only used the cute, pyramid-shaped bags for making iced tea, but I’m sure the tea is just as magnificent hot.
A Well-Balanced Tea
African Solstice is also known as Bush Tea or Red Bush Tea. It comes from a plant called rooibos, pronounced (“roy-boss”), that’s grown in South Africa and used traditionally for its medicinal properties. Preliminary studies of rooibos teas indicate they may help strengthen bones and reduce heart disease.
The leaves of the rooibos plant are naturally caffeine-free and have a wisp of natural vanilla. What’s more, the tea is low in tannins and rich in antioxidants. Tea Forte ups the taste with a blend of berries and blossoms.
Chamomile Citron, another of my favorites from Tea Forte.
A Smooth, Easy Brew
To extract maximum flavor, the bag or leaves should steep 5 minutes in boiling water. But you can steep as long as you like, since rooibos leaves never grow bitter from steeping.
Since the weather warmed up, I’ve been making a Mason jar of African Solstice iced tea everyday. It’s a pleasant companion, as I curl up with a book, waiting for the virus to skip town.
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