Rooibos, sometimes found under the name "red tea," is not tea at all, but rather a wild plant found in Africa. As with most herbal teas, it is completely caffeine free, a plus for those of us that suffer from insomnia. Rooibos brews up almost the exact same color as tea, and tastes...similar, I guess, to actual tea. With herbal teas, I find it's best not to think of them as teas, but as something all their own, so that I'm not disappointed when they don't actually taste like tea. Rooibos on its own terms is actually quite good; it has a really pleasant natural sweetness, especially when paired with honeybush, a similar plant that grows in South Africa as well that has a natural honey taste. Rooibos has become more common across the world in recent years, and can now be found in "green" unoxidized varieties as well, though I've yet to try one.
So, Earl Grey rooibos, then, is "red" oxidized rooibos, with the addition of cornflower petals, and mild bergamot. Although I've already had enough bergamot this week to last me the next year or so, the use here is restrained and mild, which I must say, I appreciate. The Earl Grey-ness, so to speak, blends really well with the natural sweetness and roast fruit flavor of the rooibos. Earl Grey rooibos is a middleweight in body, comparable to regular Earl Grey, and unlike true tea, there is really no astringency here. The finish is quite long, but mostly honey sweetness from the tea, and just a hint of the bergamot and cornflower.
I've tried three different varieties of rooibos (Earl Grey, Bourbon Vanilla, and Chai), and the Earl Grey is my favorite so far. I really enjoy the blend of bergamot with the naturally sweet tea, and I also like that I can drink it right before bedtime. In fact, there are claims that rooibos can actually help with sleep problems, but I'd probably file those under unsubstantiated. Health claims aside, it's easily the best herbal tea I've tried yet, and something I'll likely keep on hand from now on. Score: 85 (B)
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