The House of Rooibos invites visitors to Clanwilliam to a unique Rooibos experience.
Rooibos Limited, heart of the Rooibos industry
Since its humble beginnings 65 years ago, Rooibos Limited has become the single largest producer and distributor of Rooibos to the local and international markets, supplying over fifty countries around the world, with no less than six billion cups of this extraordinary beverage being drunk every year.
The uniquely South African Rooibos plant is only found in the craggy Cederberg Mountains around the 200-year-old town of Clanwilliam, known worldwide as ‘The Rooibos Capital’.
In order to offer visitors to the town a fuller and finer Rooibos experience, the popular factory shop at Rooibos Limited has moved to bigger and better premises in the heart of Clanwilliam.
The all-new House of Rooibos opened its doors at the beginning of July this year and features a tea room, tea garden, shop and information centre.
Visitors to Clanwilliam are invited to come and enjoy a refreshing cup of Rooibos and see the informative displays including a 10-minute audio-visual presentation about the history, production process and health benefits of this singular beverage. The presentation is produced in a choice of 8 international languages.
The shop is stocked with an exciting range of original, flavoured and blended Rooibos teas, Rooibos-related food and cosmetic products, souvenirs and gift items, including a recipe book full of Rooibos inspired dishes.
The cosy tea room offers a wide range of Rooibos drinks and a menu of light meals including, muffins, tarts and cakes that are prepared with Rooibos as an ingredient.
About the Rooibos plant
Rooibos is produced from the plant Aspalathus linearis which is a leguminous shrub that is unique to the Cederberg Mountains around the town of Clanwilliam and indigenous to the Western Cape of South Africa. It forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, commonly known as fynbos, and grows nowhere else in the world. Rooibos contains a complex mix of many flavonoids, compounds widely found in plants known to have health benefits.
Rooibos – the healthy choice
It is one of the best health drinks or beverages for those who care about their health and well-being. Medical science is only beginning to discover the many health advantages of Rooibos. On-going research and case studies confirm that there seems to be no end to its benefits.
Here are just a few of its impressive health credentials:
- Rooibos is completely pure and natural as it contains no additives, preservatives or colourants.
- Rooibos is low in tannins. Unlike many teas, Rooibos is naturally low in harmful tannins.
- Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free and is therefore recommended for individuals suffering from insomnia.
- Rooibos contains antioxidants that fight free radicals (a by-product of normal cell function), which weaken the body’s natural defences and lead to ageing, the declining of the immune system and the onset of a wide variety of diseases.
- Rooibos contains no oxalic acid.
- Rooibos is an excellent thirst-quencher to keep the body hydrated.
- Rooibos is calorie-free, and is perfect for anyone on a weight loss plan.
Rooibos for mums and babies
Rooibos has a soothing effect on babies suffering from colic, stomach cramps and restlessness. It also helps with nappy rash, relieving irritation when applied with every nappy change.
The lack of caffeine means a pregnant woman can drink Rooibos throughout the day without worsening some of pregnancy’s biggest discomforts – nausea, heartburn and insomnia.
Rooibos for the fitness conscious
Rooibos can be enjoyed as a thirst-quencher after exercise. Either on its own or mixed with fruit juice, Rooibos is delicious and satisfying, and refreshes naturally without the caffeine, sugar or additives contained in most soft drinks. The mineral content of Rooibos is an added benefit and helps to restore the body’s natural balance after a workout. Rooibos is ideal to keep the body hydrated.
Endless versatility
As a drink Rooibos is extremely versatile; it can be enjoyed as a hot drink or as an iced beverage. It can be mixed with fruit juice or cordials and one can even add champagne or red wine to Rooibos to create a unique cocktail. As a caffeine-free alternative, Rooibos espressos and lattes are a great hit.
Many top South African chefs have embraced Rooibos as part of their signature recipes.
Due to the beneficial dermatological effects of Rooibos, it is being used in an ever-increasing number of skincare products, cosmetics and toiletries.
The health benefits of Rooibos have also been recognised by the food industry, and it is now being used in a wide variety of foodstuffs including: spreads, yoghurt, syrup, bread, nougat and health bars.
Many of these Rooibos-related food and cosmetic products are available from the House of Rooibos shop.
To learn more about this singular product and to enjoy the ultimate Rooibos experience, visit House of Rooibos at 4 Voortrekker Street, Clanwilliam.
GPS: 32°10’40”S – 18°53’28”E
Open Mondays to Fridays from 09:00 till 17:00
For more information about the House of Rooibos and the large range of products available visit shop.rooibosltd.co.za
Tel: 027 482 2155, Cell: 066 115 7749
Text by René Hermans
Images supplied by Rooibos Limited
