★★★★★
This is great caffeine free tea we use to make chai
Rooibos, sometimes known as "Red Tea" (although not from the actual tea bush), is an herb that grows only in South Africa. Our rooibos is slightly fruity and smooth with a mild, herbal texture. Very forgiving - won't over-steep.
Customers use these reviews to describe their experience with Rooibos, including flavor, aroma, preparation preferences, strength, and how the tea fits into daily routines. Browse the full review history page by page to compare tasting notes, steeping tips, and favorite ways to enjoy this tea.
This is great caffeine free tea we use to make chai
First time I have tried Rooibos by itself. It wasn’t bad at all although I still prefer it blended with something.
I love rooibos And this one is no exception. I definitely prefer flavored rooibos, but this was a happy cuppa too!
Plain rooibos is tough to love, so I use a flavored honey to help it out. 3 mins @ 205 F
I only just started liking rooibos blends and it seems it is still too soon for plain rooibos. It was ok for me but not great. Plain it reminds me a bit of wet tobacco leaves.
I really hate rooibos. But I dont want to leave an awful review because I am sure its lovely rooibos!
I neither love nor despise red rooibos tea. I just think it’s boring. If it has wonderful health benefits I guess I could learn to drink it but it is better favored. I steeped at 212 degrees for 5 minutes and drank most of it at room temperature.
Took this Communitea sample as an opportunity to try Rooibos plain. Was hopeful that I was turning the corner and this was the time I would like red rooibos... Nope. There is something about the medicinal, woodsy flavor that turns my stomach just by the smell. Well, I tried it and thought it was a pretty red color.
I don't believe I've ever had plain rooibos before I tried this tea, and actually, it surprised me. I expected it to be pleasant enough, but I also expected to be underwhelmed. After all, rooibos plays well with so many strong flavors. After a long steep (at least 7 minutes, probably), the brew is a deep red and richer than I expected it to be. Yes, it's woody, but that doesn't bother me. It reminds me more of the oak notes one might look for in a good wine/whisky/brandy without alcohol's drawbacks. It's also nutty and sweet - a natural sweetness that's easily amplified with sweetener but not easily overdone. I enjoy several of Adagio's flavored rooibos varieties, but few have the richness of this unaltered original. I'm delighted with this discovery.
I like the flavor of rooibos, I just usually enjoy it as an add in. I keep waiting for another flavor to develop and it never happens. So, although this tea is good and find it great in other teas. (212F for 5min)
CommuniTEA 6/29/22: I didn't drink my tea today, but I've had this one before and I like it. The best way to have rooibos is boiled on the stove with sugar and milk of choice. I will be doing this tomorrow once I buy soy milk!
Boil it! 5 minutes
CommuniTEA portion:. I don't hate it. I don't love it. I don't really need it. But it's just fine. Slightly medicinal and nutty? but a bit of creaminess? What a helpful review!
I generally like some sort of flavor in my tea so was a bit hesitant about this one. I was pleasantly surprised - it was fairly flavorful.
This tea was alright. I like rooibos but generally like it better with something mixed in. Just your basic rooibos tea.
As you may, or may not, know I am a huge lover of Rooibos. That being said I found with today's tea that I prefer my Rooibos flavored. So once my tea was steeped, I add some sweet cream creamer to it and it was perfect.
I cannot lie. I dislike red rooibos so much. I can usually tolerate it in a blend if it’s hidden. I took a few swigs and I still don’t enjoy it. It reminds me of the smell of wet cardboard. It is good for making me laugh with my other tea friends who dislike it. You know who you are 😉 Sip, sip no way!
This brews up to a pretty orange color, whose flavor and scent make me think of wet sawdust. There is a woody, medicinal quality to this tea that I don't care for on its own. To me, red rooibos is better in blends than it is on its own.
Red rooibos is not my cup of tea. But I tried this as part of the communiTEA sample, and it has a weird medicinal taste.
Roiboos [with vanilla] was one of the first types of tea I tried when I was first getting into tea. I loved it. With today's CommuniTEA being straight roiboos, i was really excited to see if I would like it 'plain'. I steeped at 212°F for 20 minutes, as roiboos is exceptionally forgiving, doesn't seem to oversteep, and the flavours tend to enhance the longer you let it brew. I like the earthy woodiness it gives, but the longer steeping can help subdue it for those who don't. I think it mellows it out and lets that easy, low roll of sweet and nutty come out on top of the woodsy taste. Added a touch of blue agave to further bring up the sweet and nutty flavour, and it's magnificent. Absolutely love it.
Damp, woody tasting Rooibos is surprisingly good with some vanilla creamer!
This is not my cup of tea, it taste like medicine.
Time number two trying to post a review. If you like rooibos, this tea is probably lovely. If you don’t like rooibos, this one is rooibos.
Truly enjoy this tea with its sweetness that’s reminiscent of honey. A wonderful pot of tea for the afternoon.
I love rooibos and all the health benefits esp for those with allergies.
Good te for when you want a little more teaness than herbal and no caffeine.
A good quality rooibos that tastes great when mixed with other flavors.
CommuniTEA Sample: Rooibos is not one of my favorite teas, so this one didn't rank very high on my likeability scale. Too medicinal and woody, even through there is a hint of a creamy aftertaste. Just not one that I enjoy very often.
Today’s Rooibos tea provides a pleasant cuppa but not a very exactly cuppa. The flavors are pleasant but don’t provide a distinct flavor that makes you want more. I am not a fan of all the fine particles left in my cup.
Steeping Notes — 195 degrees for 5 minutes in the Adagio steeping mug.
I feel like this tea is like that Bon Jovi song Bad Medicine. It just tastes like medicine and well I don't like when things taste Ike medicine.. but don't let this persuade you, it has lots of shining reviews, hopefully you'll enjoy it more then I do.
This is a classic, flavorful tea that I enjoy hot or iced. It makes a great base for blends. I love that it’s caffeine free.
Rooibos is so red
distinctive color and scent
some think medicine
Or
How to say this word?
ROY-boss, Rue-I-boos, Roy-bus?
I will just drink it…
Or
Red, nutty, and sweet
Decaf with health benefits
I rather like it!
(Choose your own haiku review)
I love a good rooibos. Got no complaints here, it's just what a rooibos should be and no frills.
Rooibos has a nice raw deep earthy taste, but it took me a while to get used to the herbal at first. Honey -sweetener is great with this herbal tea and it's great for blending.
I like rooibos herbal, but I do prefer it with it dressed with other flavors and addition with honey and lots of it. Lol
Rooibos has a very distinctive flavor and can be enjoyed alone or with additions if you are prepared for the taste.
First time trying plain Rooibos. Has a distinctive flavor. Great to dress up.
I'm okay with rooibos in blends but on its own it is a bit too medicinal for me. It reminds me a lot like cough syrup so I wouldn't choose this to drink myself.
Today's CommuniTea packet is rooibos. Red rooibos, like in today's packet, has been oxidized. Green rooibos, otoh, has not, somewhat similar to black and green tea. If, like me, you don't particularly like red rooibos, you may want to try some green before writing rooibos off entirely. It also tastes differently when cold than hot. It brews to a reddish color, and generally does better with a very fine infuser or strainer, unless you like speckled tea. Cold brewed in 12 ounces of water for three hours. (Yeah, I know. But the weaker rooibos is, the happier I am. :-) )
Great for anytime of the day. On hot summer days I like to brew this hot, cool then pour over ice. If you enjoy Rooibos you will certainly enjoy this fresh tea. I enjoy mixing in different flavored honeys and fresh fruit slices to change up the flavor.
I am all about the health benefits of Rooibos and I really enjoy the color in the cup. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is I always add extra stuff to plain Rooibos to boost up the flavor.
Today's CommuniTEA is Rooibos (6-29-22). Upon opening my packet, it was a good size portion of Rooibos. I added some Sourwood Honey for flavor. It's very good! It has a little nippy flavor on its own and takes the sweetness of the honey really well. Together, it makes a very earthy taste and I really enjoy it. I would highly recommend this tea!
UPDATED REVIEW: Rooibos
This came in my June CommuniTEA box. Recommended Steep: 5 minutes @ 212°F
I steeped it for for the recommended amount of time at the recommended temperature , in approximately 11 oz of water with 1.5 tsp of rock/tea sugar.
This is a very simple, plain rooibos tea and it looks and smells like a plain, simple rooibos tea. It has a very pleasant, moderate aroma. I wasn’t sure exactly what I expected, due to all the pros and cons I’d heard in the chat, and the fact that I generally have this in blends or as a latte. I had this sample as is with only sweetener added. I was surprised that I actually liked this very much. It is a smooth, plain tea that goes down well. I can’t speak to the other plain rooibos tea I’ve heard of (green, I think), but this one is very good with a mild pleasant aftertaste. I’m aware that people generally love or hate this tea, but for those who enjoy a good rooibos...I think this is a winner. 5 stars.
I've never had a plain Roobios tea before and was uncertain as to whether or not I would like it. This tea didn't disappoint. I used it to make a Maple Latte (with almond milk) and it was amazing! It made me think of the tea I used to get when my husband was stationed in England.
UPDATED from 2/4/21: I really like to drink Rooibos and Honybush “teas.” I usually drink them in blends so this is a great opportunity to taste it on its own. An earthy, wet hay smell emits from the CommuniTEA packet. After steeping, the tea color is a bright scarlet. The flavor is of hay - earthy - and at times nutty! It has a full body, and zero astringency. Adding 1⁄4 teaspoon of sweetener (to 10 oz) helps bring out its natural sweetness. I assume herbal teas can only be steeped once, but steeping this a second time found it still flavorful, even if it is a little weaker in color and taste. No wonder this works well in blends: totally caffeine free and yummy for a base. (2 steeps: 5 mins @ 212*F + sweetener).
I love this caffeine-free tea. It's perfect to sip on all day. Smooth, very slight hint of nuttiness.
I like rooibos blends. I purchased this to make some iced tea blends. Rooibos makes a wonderful cold brewed iced tea. The sky is the limit with what you can do with it.
Rooibos is my favorite kind of tea, and this is a good quality tea.
One of my very favorites! So smooth and a delight at anytime of day
This tea had a smooth, sweet and somewhat nutty taste. I enjoyed it!
Rooibos flavor. If you are a big fan of rooibos, I highly recommend this tea.
Smooth and warm. Sweet without being sweet. A good evening coffee substitute.