The European Commission authorised the registration of “Rooibos” / “Purple Bush” from South Africa as a registered and guarded designation of origin, like Champagne.
Which means if a tea producer or tea enterprise sources its rooibos tea from someplace exterior of the designated are of the Western and Northern Cape in South Africa, it can not declare that tea as rooibos.
MSN reported that South African Rooibos Council Chair Martin Bergh stated this world recognition will assist put the business on the map and defend native producers towards faux teas labelled as rooibos.
Rooibos/Purple Bush refers back to the dried leaves and stems cultivated within the Western Cape Province and within the Northern Cape Province, a area which is understood for its sizzling dry summers and chilly moist winters.
Rooibos has developed some distinctive traits to adapt on this harsh local weather and presents fruity, woody and spicy flavors. It’s harvested annually through the sizzling summers and is sun-dried simply after harvesting. The tea course of is commonly described as an artwork kind and is among the most important elements of the rooibos manufacturing course of with particular know-how and experience required.
The usage of the dried leaves and stems of rooibos as a tea was first documented virtually 250 years in the past. Since then, its fruity, candy style has resulted in it being a cultural icon of South Africa.
There are at present 262 geographical indications, comparable to rooibos, from non-European nations that are actually registered.
General, the South African Rooibos Council works to advertise, develop and defend the rooibos business of South Africa for its stakeholders, regionally and internationally. The group helps analysis and communication to advertise the advantages of rooibos, and it responds to threats and crises within the rooibos business for its stakeholders and to guard the curiosity of customers.
Rooibos Tea Information from the South African Rooibos Council:
—Rooibos is just not a real tea, however a herb. The brew made out of the dried rooibos leaves is subsequently a natural infusion (often called a tisane) slightly than a tea, however is broadly often called rooibos tea.
—Rooibos has a particular shade, taste and aroma, which differentiates it from most different teas. The flavour may be described as barely candy and fruity.
—The colourful amber shade of rooibos comes from the pure shade that develops through the post-harvest “fermentation” (oxidation) course of, led to by pure enzymes within the plant.
—Rooibos is a pure and pure product because it incorporates no colorants, components or preservatives.
—Rooibos is obtainable as plain or flavored tea, as free leaves or in tea baggage. It’s typically blended with different natural teas.
—Rooibos is graded in line with shade, taste and reduce size.
—Rooibos ages nicely and may be saved for lengthy durations with none deterioration in high quality, taste and style.
—In lots of nations, rooibos is loved as a sizzling or chilly beverage with out milk, with or with out sweeteners. Many South Africans take pleasure in Rooibos as a sizzling beverage with milk, sweetened with sugar or honey.