Rooibos Tea vs. Black Tea

Black tea is undoubtedly the most popular type of tea worldwide, but rooibos ("red bush") tea is quickly becoming a favorite among tea drinkers because of its flavor and the excellent health benefits associated with it. Still, many tea enthusiasts are unaware of the important differences between rooibos and black teas, and are thus not always making the healthiest brewing choices.

The main difference between rooibos tea and black tea is that they are harvested from two different plants. Black tea is one of the "true" teas because it is harvested from the Camiellia sinensis plant (like green, white and oolong teas). Rooibos tea, on the other hand, is harvested from the Aspalathus linearis plant and is considered an herbal tea or tisane.

Both types of tea leaves undergo oxidation and fermentation processes, but because the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis are naturally packed with more antioxidants than those of the Camiellia sinensis, rooibos tea maintains more antioxidants than black tea even after being oxidized and fermented. On top of having more antioxidants, rooibos tea is also naturally decaffeinated.

Tea is always a good addition to any diet, but keep in mind the following reasons that rooibos tea is the healthier option over black tea:

• Higher Antioxidants - Antioxidants are dietary substances that both prevent damage to cells by inhibiting free radicals in the bloodstream, and repairing injured cells. They play an important part in maintaining good health by reducing a person's probability of getting various diseases. Because the rooibos tea leaves are filled with more potent antioxidants than those of black tea, they are a much healthier choice for all tea drinkers.
• Decaffeinated - While black tea doesn't have nearly as much caffeine as coffee, many people who are sensitive to caffeine are still bothered by the caffeine in black tea. Rooibos tea is naturally decaffeinated, so it is the best tea choice for those who often have insomnia or anxiety. Because it's decaffeinated, many people enjoy a soothing cup of rooibos tea right before they go to sleep. For most people, having a cup of black tea just before bed would not be an option.
• Lower Tannin Amounts - Black tea leaves have high amounts of tannin, a substance that inhibits the body's absorption of important minerals like iron. Rooibos tea leaves have much lower tannin amounts, so the body is able to absorb more iron and feel much more energized.
• Taste - Of course, taste preferences are always a matter of opinion, and consequentially they vary widely. But almost everyone who tries rooibos tea finds its sweet, nutty flavor to be irresistible to their taste buds. Even if you don't enjoy rooibos tea's natural flavor, Rooibosteas.com offers a variety of rooibos tea types, including ones infused with flavors like berry, caramel and mint.

If you're looking for a delicious decaffeinated tea with loads of antioxidants, you should choose rooibos tea over black tea. Start right now by visiting the online store at Rooibostea.com to find the perfect brew for you.