THE SURVIVAL BREW

ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA'S MOST FAVORITE EXPORTS IS GROUNDED IN ITS ROOTS. THE REDDISH-BROWN ROOIBOS IS BEING SIPPED AROUND THE WORLD, AND COULD SOON HAVE A UNIQUE USE IN PETROL STATIONS.

- SASHA STAR

There is an adage that claims a cup of tea can fix just about anything.

Rough day? Sip some chamomile.

Broken heart? Brew some chai.

Need to pull an all-nighter for that deadline? Green tea has your back.

One tea in particular, though, has acquired a reputation as somewhat of a superfood thanks to its long list of health benefits that is transforming wellness, one cup at a time.

Native to the mountainous plains of the Cederberg region in South Africa's Western Cape province, rooibos has steeped its way to global fame—all the while remaining grounded in its roots.

"Rooibos only grows in 60,000 hectares in the entire world, on the southwest coast of South Africa," reveals the Marketing Director of Carmién Tea, Lize du Preez.

The distinct location has led to rooibos joining the prestigious ranks of French champagne and Greek feta cheese by acquiring the status of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) from the European Union, becoming the first African food to do so. Thus, if the leaves are not specifically from the Cederberg region of South Africa, well, it is just a herbal infusion with a scarlet hue.

Even rooibos' unique reddish-brown shade has garnered acclaim: it was named by New York Fashion Week as one of the top 10 colors for the 2024 spring season, complete with its own Pantone color card.

"There is also a video game called Enshrouded where rooibos is one of the resources that you harvest for energy," notes Marthane Swart, Secretariat of the South African Rooibos Council. "It just shows that there is an increasing awareness of rooibos all over the world and people are using it and thinking about it for a variety of functions."

One particular purpose is closer to home.