Like rooibos, honeybush originates from the Cape Mountains. Although little is known about its history, this infusion is nevertheless very well known for its health benefits. It is easy to prepare and comes in a variety of flavors. Zoom on this new herbal tea.
What is honeybush, the infusion of the honey bush?
Like rooibos and mate teas, honeybush is a drink extracted from a shrub. It only grows on the arid lands of the Cederberg mountain, north of Cape Town. The plants are totally organic.
Its scientific name is cyclopia. However, its common name is the honey bush. It comes from the fragrance of its yellow flowers.
Honeybush is made from the leaves of the shrub. They are harvested and dried. Then, the leaves of the cyclopia are reduced to a powder, more or less coarse depending on the product.
Unlike traditional infusions such as mate, the golden drink has neither theine nor caffeine.
How did the golden tea come from Africa?
Each family in Cape Town has its own version of the origin of honeybush. Coming from the Cederberg mountains, it was part of the natural products harvested by the local tribes. They consumed the tea as a traditional remedy (like red rooibos) and used it for healing.
With the development of trade, an endless list of shipping companies called at South Africa. Some of them witnessed the healing effects of honeybush and red rooibos.
According to different opinions, it was these traders who brought the product to Europe. Some speak of the Dutch who picked several species of cyclopia for treatment. Others mention the English who would have used the drink instead of the traditional "cup of tea".
What are the properties of the golden Cape brew?
Honeybush has similar properties to those of red rooibos. This is not surprising since both plants are species of the same family.
Originally, the Khoi tribe was the first to use honeybush for its medicinal properties. But today, this product of Africa is more and more requested in traditional health care.
Its composition is exceptional:
- pinitol ;
- xanthones (antioxidants) ;
- vitamins (mainly C);
- minerals.
The honey-flavored plant is recommended for:
- coughs and colds;
- colic;
- aging ;
- menopause;
- weight loss;
- lipid balance.
How to prepare a honeybush tea?
Like rooibos, honeybush is an organic infusion. For a golden drink with intense honey aromas, you should count 10 minutes in water at 90 ° C. For dosages, it is enough to respect one teaspoon of organic leaves (or a bag) for a cup of water.
Cyclopia is rich in antioxidants. Water that is too hot affects its benefits, while cold water blocks its aromas. Experts say you can let honeybush steep longer, as it does not develop the bitterness of teas.
You can add fruit notes to your plain honeybush with strawberry or orange. Vanilla and ginger also work well with the subtle taste of honey flowers. A nice change from the traditional "cup of tea".
What are the differences between honeybush and rooibos?
Rooibos (red or green) and honeybush are related plants. Free of theine, these two infusions differ mainly in taste, color and virtues.
While red rooibos develops a nutty and fruity aroma, honeybush smells like wild honey. The red color of rooibos also contrasts with the golden reflections of its sister shrub. As for the medicinal properties, they are complementary. Only the presence of pinitol gives an expectorant effect to thegolden infusion of "Cape Town".
Which honeybush tea to choose as a gift?
Organic honeybush is making a strong entry into the world of gift boxes. Instead of coffee or tea, the plant-based products from "Cape Town" are a big hit.
The list of gift box accessories is immense. However, it is the "in a bag" formula that is the most attractive. It allows for a variety of herbal teas with exotic notes full of flavor:
- strawberry and vanilla ;
- orange and ginger;
- organic red rooibos.
To keep the benefits of cyclopia, the weight of the plant must be greater than that of the other ingredients. Many accessories are available to brew honeybush and rooibos, but the "bag" version is sometimes more accessible.