If you’re a wholesale or bulk trade buyer of teas, and you’re looking to find out more about rooibos tea, our series of articles are designed to assist you.
As an organic rooibos farm and bulk rooibos supplier, we are often asked what the differences are between rooibos and black tea. In this article, we unpack those differences and provide answers designed to provide bulk tea buyers with a rooibos resource.
Summary:
Despite both being popular hot drinks, rooibos and black tea are distinct beverages with different origins, production processes, flavours, and nutritional profiles. Below is a detailed breakdown that addresses common questions around the key differences between rooibos and black tea.
- Plant Origin
Where is rooibos from?
Rooibos:
- Source: Derived from the Aspalathus linearis plant, a legume native to the Cederberg Mountains in South Africa’s Western Cape.
- Type: Not a true tea but an herbal infusion (tisane), as it’s not from the Camellia sinensis plant.
- Region: Exclusively grown in the greater Cederberg area due to its unique soil and climate, with the Cederberg mountains near Clanwilliam being a core high quality production area.
Black Tea:
- Source: Made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, the same species used for green, white, and oolong teas.
- Type: A true tea, processed to achieve its characteristic dark colour and robust flavour.
- Region: Grown globally in regions like India (Assam, Darjeeling), China, Sri Lanka, and Kenya.
Difference:
Rooibos is a caffeine-free herbal infusion from a South African plant, while black tea is a caffeinated true tea from Camellia sinensis, grown worldwide.
- Processing
How is rooibos made?
Rooibos:
- Harvesting: Leaves and stems are hand-harvested, bruised to initiate oxidation and fermentation, and thereafter spread out to dry in the sun.
- Oxidation: Fully oxidised (red rooibos) for a rich, reddish-brown colour, or unoxidised (green rooibos) for a lighter, grassier flavour.
- Drying: Sun-dried (as in the image above of our tea court at Klipopmekaar) or mechanically dried to halt fermentation.
- Result: Produces a smooth, naturally sweet infusion without bitterness.
Black Tea:
- Harvesting: Leaves are picked and withered to reduce moisture.
- Oxidation: Fully oxidised through rolling and exposure to air, developing dark colour and bold flavour.
- Drying: Fired or dried to stop oxidation, locking in the flavour.
- Result: Yields a strong, sometimes astringent tea with varying profiles (e.g., malty Assam, floral Darjeeling).
Difference:
Both are typically fully oxidised, but rooibos is processed from a different plant with simpler bruising and sun-drying, while black tea involves complex withering, rolling, and firing.
- Flavour Profile
What does rooibos taste like?
Rooibos:
- Taste: Naturally sweet, smooth, and slightly nutty with earthy, woody, or honey-like notes. Lacks the bitterness or astringency of true teas.
- Varieties: Red rooibos is richer and sweeter; green rooibos is lighter and more herbaceous.
- Blends: Often flavoured with vanilla, citrus, or spices, common in South African culture.
Black Tea:
- Taste: Robust, bold, and often astringent, with flavours ranging from malty and smoky (e.g., Assam) to floral and muscatel (e.g., Darjeeling) or earthy (e.g., Pu-erh).
- Varieties: Includes single-origin teas (e.g., Ceylon, Keemun) and blends (e.g., Earl Grey, English Breakfast).
- Blends: Frequently paired with bergamot, chai spices, or fruit flavours.
Difference:
Rooibos is sweeter and smoother without astringency, ideal for a mellow drink, while black tea is stronger and more varied, often requiring milk or sugar to soften its bite.
- Caffeine Content
How much caffeine does rooibos contain?
Rooibos:
- Caffeine: 0%. Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, making it suitable for evening consumption, children, or those avoiding stimulants.
- Use Case: Popular in South Africa as a calming drink, rooibos is often consumed throughout the day.
Black Tea:
- Caffeine: Contains 40–70 mg per 8 oz cup, depending on the type and steeping time (e.g., Assam has more than Darjeeling). Provides an energy boost.
- Use Case: Common as a morning or afternoon pick-me-up globally.
Difference:
Rooibos is caffeine-free, ideal for relaxation, while black tea’s caffeine content makes it stimulating.
- Nutritional and Health Benefits
What are the health benefits of rooibos?
Rooibos:
- Antioxidants: Rich in unique antioxidants like aspalathin and nothofagin, which may reduce inflammation, protect against oxidative stress, and support heart health. Green rooibos has higher antioxidant levels.
- Minerals: Contains small amounts of iron, calcium, and magnesium.
- Health Claims: May aid digestion, improve skin health, and reduce allergy symptoms. Caffeine-free nature supports sleep and reduces jitters.
- Cultural Use: In South Africa, rooibos is traditionally used for its soothing properties, often served plain or with milk.
Black Tea:
- Antioxidants: High in theaflavins and thearubigins, which support heart health, reduce cholesterol, and may lower blood pressure. Also contains catechins, though less than green tea.
- Stimulants: Caffeine improves focus and alertness but may cause insomnia or anxiety in excess.
- Health Claims: Linked to improved cardiovascular health, gut health, and cognitive function, with stronger scientific backing than rooibos.
- Cultural Use: Globally consumed, often with milk or sugar, as a social or energising drink.
Difference:
Rooibos offers unique antioxidants and is caffeine-free, ideal for relaxation and sensitive individuals, while black tea provides stronger antioxidants and a caffeine boost, better for energy and focus.
- Colour and Appearance
What does rooibos tea look like?
Rooibos:
- Brew Colour: Reddish-brown (red rooibos) or pale yellow green (green rooibos).
- Clarity: Clear, vibrant infusion, often described as “ruby” for red rooibos.
Black Tea:
- Brew Colour: Dark brown to reddish amber, depending on the type (e.g., Assam is darker, Darjeeling lighter).
- Clarity: Can be slightly cloudy if over-steeped or when milk is added.
Difference:
Rooibos has a distinctive red hue, while black tea is darker and more varied in shade.
- Culinary and Cultural Uses
How is rooibos used?
Rooibos:
- South Africa: As a staple beverage, rooibos is served hot or iced, plain, with milk, or flavoured (e.g., honey, lemon). It is also used in cooking (e.g., stews, desserts) and cosmetics (e.g., skincare).
- Global: Gaining popularity as a caffeine-free alternative, often in flavoured blends (e.g., vanilla rooibos).
- Preparation: Steep 5–10 minutes for full flavour; no risk of bitterness from over-steeping.
Black Tea:
- Global: Central to tea cultures in the UK (English Breakfast with milk), India (chai with spices), and China (Lapsang Souchong). Used in blends, iced teas, and culinary recipes (e.g., tea-smoked dishes).
- Preparation: Steep 3–5 minutes; over-steeping can make it bitter, requiring careful timing.
Difference:
Rooibos is deeply tied to South African culture, with versatile, forgiving preparation, while black tea is globally ubiquitous with stricter brewing needs.
- Environmental and Ethical Considerations
How sustainable is rooibos tea?
Rooibos:
- Sustainability: Grown only in the Cederberg region, with sustainable farming practices promoted by organisations like the Rooibos Council. Some brands are organic – and to our knowledge, Klipopmekaar is the first carbon net-zero certified rooibos producer in the industry.
- Impact: Limited growing area reduces environmental footprint.
Black Tea:
- Sustainability: Grown in large plantations (e.g., India, Sri Lanka), which can involve pesticide use and labour issues. Organic options exist but are less common.
- Impact: Higher environmental footprint due to global production and transport.
Difference:
Rooibos has a smaller, localised environmental impact, while black tea’s global scale raises more sustainability and labour concerns.
- Market Size
Black Tea
- Estimated Production/Sales Volume (2024): ~3,000,000 tons
- Market Value (2024): ~$20 billion
- Explanation: Black tea, derived from fully oxidised Camellia sinensis leaves, is the most widely consumed tea globally, dominating markets in Asia, Europe, and North America. It includes popular varieties like Assam, Darjeeling, and Earl Grey. Its widespread use in blends, iced teas, and ready-to-drink (RTD) products drives its market leadership. In 2024, black tea was valued at $20 billion, accounting for a significant portion of the global tea market’s $57.08 billion.
- Recent/Forecast Growth: The global tea market, heavily driven by black tea, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2024 to 2032, reaching $33.9 billion by 2032. Black tea’s growth is expected to be robust, with a forecasted CAGR of ~7% through 2033, fueled by its popularity among fitness enthusiasts for antioxidant and polyphenol content.
- Key Market Drivers:
- High consumption in major markets like China, India, and the UK due to cultural significance and affordability.
- Innovation in flavoured and RTD black tea products, attracting younger consumers (e.g., Gen Z and Millennials).
- Health benefits, including cardiovascular support and anti-allergic properties, boosting demand among health-conscious consumers.
Rooibos Tea (Herbal tisane)
- Estimated Production/Sales Volume (2024): ~15,000–25,000 tons
- Market Value (2024): ~$1.63 billion
- Explanation: Rooibos tea, a caffeine-free herbal tea from the Aspalathus linearis plant native to South Africa’s Cederberg region, is known for its sweet, nutty flavor and antioxidant properties (e.g., aspalathin, nothofagin). Its market was valued at $1.63 billion in 2024, with strong growth in North America and Europe.
- Recent/Forecast Growth: The rooibos tea market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.48% from 2025 to 2032, reaching $2.5 billion by 2032. Other sources estimate a CAGR of 5.6–5.91% through 2030–2031, with values reaching $2.16–$2.38 billion.
- Key Market Drivers:
- Rising demand for caffeine-free, antioxidant-rich beverages aligning with health and wellness trends.
- Growth in organic and sustainable products, as rooibos is often produced using ethical farming practices.
- Product innovation, including flavoured blends (e.g., citrus, berry) and RTD formats, expanding consumer appeal.
- Expansion of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer channels, improving global accessibility.
In conclusion
We hope that this article we’ve provided will assist you in understanding the differences between rooibos and black tea and their markets.
If you’re a bulk tea buyer and wish to find out more, please take a look at the many other articles here on our website that cover various aspects of rooibos botany, chemistry, commercial markets, and the application and use of rooibos in a range of expanding consumer products.
For further info, take a look at our other articles: