About African Solstice
Tea Type
: Herbal Tea
Tea Forté African Solstice contains Elderberries and blueberries, which add a fruity depth to this Rooibos tea and are also rich in antioxidants. Ruby red rosehips add an enticing balance of tart and sweet and are also rich in vitamin C, one of the safest and most effective immune-supporting nutrients.
African Solstice is a great anytime tea. Rooibos has a full-bodied flavor that is holds up to milk and sugar as a caffeine-free breakfast tea. Likewise, the hint of vanilla and berry add a touch of sweetness that can delight after dinner or for a mid-afternoon treat. Much less tannic than tea, rooibos is very easy on sensitive stomachs, and can easily be enjoyed with or without food. African Solstice pairs very well with rich flavors like caramel, meats and cheeses.
Afrikaans for "red bush," rooibos comes from the plant
Aspalathus Linearis, which grows only in the Cedarberg area of the Western Cape province of South Africa. Rooibos has been consumed by Bushmen as an herbal remedy for centuries, but rooibos as we know it is a relatively recent invention. Techniques for producing Keemun black tea were imported from China and applied to rooibos in the early 20th century. A difficult plant to grow, cultivation techniques for Aspalathus Linearis weren't mastered until the 1930s.
Starting in the mid-20th century, rooibos consumption became very widespread in South Africa, spurred in part by beliefs that it can help with colic in babies. Generally consumed with milk and sugar in South Africa, rooibos has rapidly attained popularity in Europe and North America over the past decade or two, where it is often drunk without any additions.
Read more about Rooibos Tea:
All About Rooibos Tea
The Benefits of Rooibos Tea
African Solstice has been my favorite rooibos tea for years—I’ve tested other brands and always come back to this one. I love that it’s decaffeinated and also high in antioxidants. And the flavor of this Tea Forté version is so fragrant and complex! I usually order the loose leaf tin but was excited to try this new 15-count single blend box. When I opened the package I was pleased to see how thoughtfully designed it was. Tea Forté always pays such excellent attention to detail and ease of use. Everything about it was beautiful—from the outer package, to the three trays inside, to the individually wrapped tea bags, and of course the bags themselves topped with their signature leaf. The flexibility of this packaging is genius. It not only looks pretty inside a kitchen cabinet or on the countertop—its smaller size also makes it perfect for tucking into a desk drawer at work or even into a suitcase while traveling. I’m excited to try some of their other flavors in this version!