Best South African Non-alcoholic Beverage Types
Rooibos is a South African plant whose leaves are commonly used for brewing tea. Originally, it was an inexpensive alternative to the European black tea. The name rooibos means red bush, referring to the plant's visual characteristics.
Today, rooibos is mostly used for the preparation of tea, iced tea, and even red espresso, while its anti-aging and health benefits have been keeping the plant in the spotlight since the 18th century.
THE BEST Rooibos Herbal Infusions
Amasi is a traditional fermented milk beverage containing numerous valuable probiotics, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. It has a thick and creamy texture, while the flavor is tart and milky, with some describing it as a mix between yogurt and cottage cheese.
Besides probiotic bacteria, amasi is also a great source of protein, calcium, iron, and magnesium. It can be drunk on its own, or combined with honey and fruit for extra sweetness.
Boeber is a traditional beverage made with sugar, milk, vermicelli, sago, and flavorings such as cinnamon, rose water, star anise, and cardamom. The flavor is extremely rich and sweet. This beverage is traditionally served on the fifteenth night of the Ramadan in order to celebrate the middle of the fast.
It is recommended to garnish boeber with chopped pistachios or almonds.
Honeybush tea is a naturally sweet, caffeine-free herbal infusion made from the Cyclopia plant, native to the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Closely related to rooibos, honeybush tea is known for its smooth, honey-like flavor, with subtle notes of floral nectar, roasted nuts, and dried fruit.
Traditionally, the leaves and stems are fermented to deepen the tea’s natural sweetness, resulting in a rich amber-colored brew with a warm, soothing aroma. Unfermented, or green honeybush, offers a lighter, more herbaceous taste with a fresh, grassy undertone.
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