Organic Honeybush Tea

This organic honeybush tea has a pleasantly sweet and aromatic flavor. It contains all the same rooibos tea benefits, such as calming the nervous system, treating coughs and lowering blood sugar levels. Ideal for de-stressing, especially when fighting a cold, organic honeybush tea carries a bold, honey-roasted flavor you are sure to love!

Standard Hot Brew
Prep Steep Time: 4-5 min.
Temp: 203-212 F
Amount: 1 level tsp.
Serving: 6 to 10 oz. cup.

Notes
Remember, longer HOT steeping times will increase tea strength and release more tannin. COLD brew steeping will not have the same result. Initially, each tea requires a bit of testing for your specific taste enjoyment. This applies mostly to Black, Green and White Teas.

Cold Brew Prep
Prep Steep Time: 4-5 hours.
Temp: Normal cold refrigeration
Amount: 5 level tsp.
Serving: 1 Quart

Notes
Be sure to cover tightly to avoid steeping tea from absorbing other aromas in the refrigerator. Strain and enjoy the cold-brew tea that will last for days. Crushed ice and sweetener can be added if desired.

SPECIAL HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS Honeybush has many health benefits such as being naturally caffeine-free and very low in tannins. It sooths and calms the central nervous system and therefore ideal for destressing one's day. CAUTIONS: Honeybush tea also contains pinitol, a compound similar to inositol and commonly found in pine trees. Pinitol is an expectorant and helpful for treating coughs, but it also displays a blood-sugar lowering effects. As such, one should be cautious if you are diabetic and taking insulin, according to Michael Castleman, author of "The New Healing Herbs." For expanded article, click on link: "Blood Pressure & Honeybush Tea" Honeybush contains vitamin C and essential minerals like calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc. It also contains flavonones and the xanthone mangiferin, which have antioxidant properties. As noted by "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" in a 2004 article, people have used Honeybush to relieve symptoms of colds and flu, and even for treating pulmonary tuberculosis. Women drinking this tea have also been relieved of unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Like its Rooibos counterpart, Honeybush tastes similar, but is naturally sweeter. It was discovered in South Africa in the 18th Century. This shrub owes its name to its distinctive shrub appearance with bright yellow blossoms and honey-like fragrance. The leaves are somewhat rougher pine-like needles than those of Rooibos. The South Africans also refer to it as "vegetable bush," due to its pod-shaped fruits and knobbly roots. The wild growing plants thrive exclusively on small mountain ranges in the Longkloof District of Capetown. In the 1990's it was re-discovered and cultivated today for commercial purposes in 35 different locations.

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