タイトルまたは説明

Rooibos is a bush belonging to the leguminosa class. It grows only in the Cedar mountains in South Africa near Clanwilliam (Kapstadt area). The plant prefers sandy and sour soil, which would make it impossible to grow anything else, as the soil lacks nutrients. The Rooibos plant has very well adapted to these conditions. It produces rhizobine in its roots which is necessary for the production of nitrogen. Furthermore a fungus grows in its roots which enables the plant to extract other nutrients like potassium and phosphor out of the soil. The leaves growing out of thin sticks are used for the making of Rooibos tea, which is harvested from December until May, approximately. By means of crescenstand � partly � modern machinery, the bush will be harvested or cut and tied up into bundles. The fresh-cut Rooibos will be shaped for further processing, cut into pieces about 5 mm long and then rolled. Afterwards it will ferment by means of enzymes. Fermentation will be started by moistening the leaves. Finally the leaves will be poured out and spread on piles in the open on a great cemented surface. The leaves will be dried in the open at a temperature of approx. *0 or *0 C at daytime. They will be left in the open over night as temperatures in summer nights go down just below *9 C. Within approx. three days � depending on the temperatures � the humidity contents will decrease to less than *0%. This fermentation process is similar to that of black or Oolong tea. In one single procedure, Rooibos tea will be sieved and sterilized by vapour. This procedure guarantees that germs like salmonella or colibacteria are destroyed, leaving the product pure and fit for human consumption, without any reserves. At the end of the production process, the Export Control Board will take a sample of the product and analyse it with regard to salmonella and colibacteria. After passing all control points without objections, the finished Rooibos tea will get the export permit. The Rooibos plant is more and more being accepted as one of the few useful plants. In the course of the *0 th century it has changed from a local wild plant into a cultivated field produce. Characteristics Caffeine-free herbal tea Poor in tannine, yet rich in antioxidants Contains no preserving additives or colorants Pure and natural with sweet taste Ingredients Iron Zinc Copper Managese Alphahydroxid acids Calcium Potassium Fluoride Magnesium Sodium As Rooibos tea contains no oxal acids, it can also be consumed by persons who suffer from kidney stones. Effects In the morning as tonic. During the day as excellent thirst quencher (hot and cold). In the evening as relaxation or sleeping drug. Health Benefits Antispasmodic Soothes babies' colics pains and helps against diaper rash Soothes stomach pains and digestion problems such as nausea, vomiting and heartburn Healing effect in case of skin rash and eczema and acne Soothes allergic reactions such as hay fever or asthma Its antioxidants reduce the negative destroying effects of the free radicals in the body Favours healthy skin Reduces insomnia Helps in case of diets as it is a soothing calorie-free drink Preparation Rinse the teapot with boiling hot water. Put loose Rooibos tea or tea bags into the tea pot � one tea bag or some heaped teaspoonfuls per cup. Pour boiling hot water into the teapot and keep it hot. It is recommendable to bring it slowly to the boil in a heat resistant teapot on the hotplate. The tea should draw for 5 minutes in order to obtain the best taste.