The Cederberg is a sandstone massif in the Western Cape, north of Cape Town, and it is in this region that rooibos, Aspalathus linearis, traditionally grows. The name of this Rooibos Rouge Nature du Cederberg Bio pays tribute to this birthplace; the plant itself comes from South Africa and is organically grown, offered on its own.

In Afrikaans, rooibos means “red bush”. The shrub belongs to the Fabaceae family and bears fine, needle-like leaves that are green on the plant. Once cut, dampened and left to air, they oxidise and take on that reddish-brown hue that gives the drink its colour and taste.

Dry, it smells of soft wood and warm hay. The liquor, mahogany with red glints, is round and smooth: a supple woody note, a touch of malt, a hint of honey on the finish. Its flavour remains pleasant even after a long infusion, which makes it very easy to prepare.

Naturally caffeine-free, it can be drunk at any hour, from breakfast to evening. Use three to four grams per cup, or fifteen to twenty grams for a one-litre teapot; the water should be at a full boil, 100 °C, and the needles stay in for seven minutes, or even ten. Plain, it shows all its roundness; with a cloud of milk, it becomes softer; iced, with a strip of orange zest, it becomes a summer drink. It goes well with butter biscuits, gingerbread and a walnut tart.

Ombelle offers it loose leaf, weighed to order at the counter; store it in a dry place, in an airtight container.