Africa

Africa produces excellent teas, mostly in the East. Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi are all major exporters of teas which are highly suitable for British style tea bags. The best have good colour and strength. These teas have the great advantage that they can be produced almost all year round, whereas India and Sri Lanka have clearly defined plucking seasons. All the major blends found in supermarkets today contain a large proportion of African teas.
Honeybush Teabags
Honeybush Teabags

From £7.00

Out of stock. New stock not expected until August 2012. Apologies to Honeybush fans.

The Honeybush plant flourishes on the Western Cape in South Africa. Similar to the other well-known South African plant, Rooibos, but with a sweet, cloying flavour, it is renowned as a herbal and folk remedy for a wide variety of ailments.

The tea is a glowing reddish colour, and produces a sweet, rich liquor that should be enjoyed without milk. Sugar is sometimes added but we advise against this as the natural sweetness is quite enough. Honeybush is naturally caffeine-free. Feel free to enjoy it before you go to bed!

To enjoy Honeybush Teabags, use one teabag per person and pour on boiling water. Brew for 2 mins or longer to taste.



Rooibos Earl Grey Tea Bags
Rooibos Earl Grey Tea Bags

From £8.20

Out of stock. More expected to become available soon.

Rooibos, or Red Bush tea, comes from the South African shrub Aspalathus linearis.  The Khoisan people have used this remarkable plant for many centuries for its medicinal properties as well as for its mellow, sweet, refreshing flavour.

Rooibos is distinctly red in colour, with a soft, mellow aroma and a smooth, sweet, pleasant, calming flavour.  This exceptional blend contains Natural Oil of Bergamot for a deliciously different Earl Grey style Rooibos.

The healing properties claimed for Rooibos are many.  It is naturally completely caffeine-free, so is ideal for drinking in the evening.  It is also believed to contain up to 50 times the antioxidant properties of green tea.  It is used medicinally to treat stomach upsets, skin complaints, insomnia and allergies.



Green Rooibos
Green Rooibos

From £8.25

Green Rooibos has a fresh, mild taste reminiscent of green tea. It is higher in antioxidants than normal Rooibos.

Green Rooibos comes from the same plant as normal, "fermented" Rooibos. The difference is in the processing.

Usually, Rooibos is bruised, cut and crushed, and then allowed to "ferment" or oxidise in the sun. The enzymes naturally present in the needle-like leaves react with the air and produce the familiar red colour. Green Rooibos, like green tea, does not undergo this process and is dried without fermentation taking place.

As a result, it retains its natural light green/tan colour and its grassy flavour. It is a refreshing, pleasant drink, which is cleansing and healthy.