Rooibos tea with leaves and infuser A cup of rooibos tea next to dry rooibos leaves and an infuser. (more) rooibos herb Also known as: Aspalathus linearis, red tea, redbush tea Written by Adam Volle Adam Volle is a freelance writer and editor based in Atlanta, Georgia. Adam Volle Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 25, 2026 •History rooibos, (Aspalathus linearis), shrub of the Aspalathus genus and Fabaceae (or Leguminosae) family, native to South Africa. Named for the Afrikaans word for “red bush,” rooibos is cultivated for its leaves, which are used to make a caffeine-free herbal tea that has often been called “the national drink of South Africa.” The tisane became globally popular in the 2000s. Rooibos received a geographical indication (GI) tag in 2014 and a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)...

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