A rooibos tea latte is a great choice when you are wanting a rich and full-bodied tea latte similar to a black tea, but without all of the caffeine. Rooibos has a flavour profile that blends well with many herbs, flowers, spices and dried fruit so it’s popular to find in herbal blends. However, pure, unflavoured rooibos is equally delicious especially when topped with warm milk. This naturally caffeine-free latte is incredibly smooth with a woodsy, nutty flavour and caramel-like undertones. A touch of sugar and vanilla is added to bring out the gentle sweetness of the tea.
What is Rooibos?
Native to South Africa, rooibos is a caffeine-free tea. It is made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant.
Rooibos is technically not a true tea since it doesn’t come from the Camellia Sinensis plant so it is known as a tisane or herbal tea.
The Aspalathus linearis plant is shrub-like and grown on the Western Cape of South Africa. The leaves are harvested, oxidized then dried to make rooibos tea.
Rooibos leaves are reddish-orange and are very thin and long. This herbal tea can also be referred to as red bush tea or red tea because of the colour.
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Red Rooibos vs. Green Rooibos
The rooibos tea that is more commonly known today is red rooibos. As mentioned, the leaves are oxidized for red rooibos as the oxidation process will result in red coloured leaves.
However, there is another variety of rooibos that is not as popular, but available. This variety is known as green rooibos.
The leaves for green rooibos tea are unoxidized, therefore they retain more of the green colour. This results in a different flavour profile that is more fresh and light.
It’s important to note that this rooibos tea latte recipe uses red rooibos, not green rooibos though.
What does rooibos taste like?
Red rooibos tea is full-bodied with woody and nutty flavours. It also has a mild natural sweetness.
This herbal tea goes well with milk which makes it a great option for a caffeine-free latte!
For other naturally caffeine-free lattes, check out my chamomile tea latte recipe and butterfly pea flower tea latte recipe.
Rooibos Tea Latte Ingredients
– Rooibos
This latte recipe can be made with loose leaf or tea bags.
– Water
Since rooibos is a forgiving herbal tea, it should be steeped in freshly boiled water (100°C or 212°F).
– Sugar
Granulated sugar is in the recipe, but you’re welcome to use another sweetener, if desired.
– Vanilla
Pure or artificial vanilla extract.
– Milk
Typically, I use 1% or 2% milk for this caffeine-free latte. For a dairy-free option, I recommend oat milk or your favourite milk alternative that froths well.
– Spices
Sprinkle the top of the latte with ground cinnamon, cloves or cardamom (optional)
How to Make a Rooibos Tea Latte
Get the full directions and the measurements in the printable recipe card below.
In a mug, add the rooibos tea (loose leaf or tea bags) and freshly boiled water. Cover the mug and steep the tea for 5 minutes.
Strain the loose leaf tea or remove the tea bags after the 5 minutes is up. Add vanilla extract and sugar to the mug. Stir until dissolved.
Heat milk and froth until it doubles in volume. Top the mug with milk froth.
If desired, sprinkle with a ground spice of your choice (ie. cinnamon, cloves or cardamom).
Rooibos Tea Latte
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons rooibos loose leaf tea or 2 tea bags
- ½ cup water freshly boiled
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- In a mug, add rooibos tea (loose leaf or tea bags) and freshly boiled water. Cover the mug and steep for 5 minutes.
- After steeping, strain the loose leaf tea or remove the tea bags. Add sugar and vanilla extract. Stir until dissolved.
- Heat milk and froth until the milk doubles in volume. Top the mug with milk froth. If desired, sprinkle with a ground spice of your choice (ie. cinnamon, cloves or cardamom). Enjoy!
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Have you tried rooibos tea as a latte before? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!