Quick Answer

Brew rooibos tea with water at 200-212°F, steep for 5-7 minutes, and enjoy a naturally sweet, caffeine-free cup. Unlike green tea, rooibos won't turn bitter if you steep it a bit longer.

Why Rooibos Brews Differently

Rooibos is not a true tea—it's an herbal from South Africa. That means it has no caffeine and no tannins that cause bitterness. You can use boiling water and steep longer without ruining the flavor, which makes it forgiving for beginners.

5 Steps to Brew Rooibos Tea

  1. 1. Bring Fresh Water to a Boil: Use filtered or fresh cold water. Bring it to a full rolling boil (212°F or 100°C). Unlike green tea, rooibos needs near-boiling water to extract its full flavor and sweetness. A common mistake is using water that's not hot enough—this leads to a weak, flat cup.
  2. 2. Warm Your Teapot or Mug: Pour a little hot water into your teapot or mug, swirl it around, then discard. This preheating step keeps the water temperature stable when you add the rooibos. Skipping this step can drop the water temperature by 10-15°F, reducing extraction.
  3. 3. Add the Rooibos: Use 1 heaping teaspoon of loose rooibos per 8-ounce cup. For a stronger cup, add more leaf rather than steeping longer—rooibos is forgiving, but too much leaf can overwhelm the flavor. A checkpoint: if you're using a rooibos blend like Sassy Citrus & Spice, the spices are already balanced, so stick to the recommended leaf amount.
  4. 4. Pour and Steep: Pour the boiling water over the rooibos and cover your teapot or mug. Steep for 5-7 minutes. Rooibos won't get bitter, so feel free to go the full 7 minutes for a richer cup. A common mistake is steeping for only 2-3 minutes—this results in a pale, watery brew.
  5. 5. Strain and Enjoy: Strain the leaves or remove the tea bag. Rooibos is naturally sweet, so you likely won't need sugar or honey. Try it plain first, then add milk or a sweetener if desired. A checkpoint: let the tea cool for a minute before drinking—rooibos holds heat well and can scald your tongue.

Rooibos Teas to Try

  • Sassy Citrus & Spice: Sassy Citrus & Spice begins with familiar tea flavors—cinnamon, clove, orange—and offers complexity and nuance. Rooibos gives depth and a full-bodied feel. The rooibos base adds a smooth, full-bodied texture that balances the spices, so you can brew it strong without worrying about bitterness.

    Sassy Citrus & Spice

    Sassy Citrus & Spice

  • Lemon Ginger: Lemon Ginger is a bright caffeine free blend. Ginger adds a deep and spicy warmth, while lemon lends a spark to the mix. The ginger and lemon flavors are bold enough to shine even with a longer steep, making this blend ideal for a warming cup on a cold day.

    Lemon Ginger

    Lemon Ginger