News / 13 November 2015
‘Teatotalling’ around the Rooibos Route
Fancy a cuppa?
Look no further than Citrusdal, home to South Africa’s top-notch, not to mention embarrassingly healthy, Rooibos tea.
Enjoy a blend of special Rooibos experiences along the Rooibos Heritage Route while you travel from Niewoudtville to Wupperthal via the Cederberg Mountains and Moedverloor to sample some of the local brew and enjoy the stunning Cederberg scenery.
A truly authentic experience, you’ll be able to visit small-scale Rooibos farms where the farmers and their families will welcome you with open arms and tell you all about their pride and joy: the cultivation of Rooibos tea. They’ll demonstrate the process behind the cultivation of Rooibos from start to finish and introduce you to the unforgettable tea tasting experience.
Carmién Tea will probably be your first stop on the Rooibos route, as it is the gateway to the Cederberg. At this popular tea factory, you can try your hand at a whole range of activities. Opt for a short visit to the factory or participate in a luxury tea tasting or tea pairing experience, where you’ll learn to pair different teas with different foods. Want something a bit more hands-on? Head down to the Rooibos fields and the processing plant to get to grips with processing Rooibos.
Time for a little history
The Old Gaol is a quaint little museum in Clanwilliam, where you’ll be able to compare the old and new Rooibos processing methods. On display is some of the machinery that was used in the early 1900s and hand tools that were commonly used in that time for the cultivation of Rooibos. You can even see Benjamin Ginsberg’s original box of Rooibos tea samples, as well as tea cartons that were used over the last century.
For a delicious bite, make a pitstop at the Rooibos Tea House at NetMar in Clanwilliam. This establishment is renowned for their large variety of over 100 blends of Rooibos teas and have welcomed tea lovers from all over the world who come to taste, drink, buy and enjoy the unique Rooibos tea.
For a sample of true organic farming, a visit to Skimmelberg should be on the cards. Visit the nursery where Skimmelberg’s trademark red and green Rooibos teas are produced, starting with Rooibos seedling beds. Want to know a little secret? One of the key features in Skimmelberg’s organic success is the farm’s wormery, where organic fertiliser is produced. Besides Rooibos, the farm is also home to buchu plants that are renowned as a natural remedy. So, if you want a little break from tea, a visit to the buchu distillery is definitely worth it.
End your Rooibos Tour at the picturesque little town of Wupperthal, where you’ll be able to visit the tea court to experience first hand how Rooibos is cultivated and processed. And while you're in Wupperthal also visit the Red Cedar Cosmetics for their lovely Rooibos cosmetic products. Rooibos contains antioxidants that combat ageing and is helpful in treating skin allergies and eczema. It is particularly suitable for babies with their sensitive skin.
For more ideas on what to do on the Rooibos Route – have a peak at www.Rooibos-route.co.za, an interactive map with all the activities along the route.
