Description
Botanical: Aspalathus linearis
Origin: South Africa
Health Benifits: Rooibos has an antioxidant called aspalathin that reduces insulin resistance that can help prevent diabetes and some cancers. It has a positive effect on blood pressure and can lower ‘bad’ cholesterol while raising ‘good’ cholesterol levels, in people at risk of heart disease.
The rooibos plant grows only in the mountains of Cederberg in Cape Town, South Africa. Often called ‘red bush’ it is a member of the broom family and was discovered by early Dutch settlers in the 1700s. The leaves and stems are cut and bruised to encourage oxidization, which gives the tea its rich red colour. Rooibos has a natural sweetness and a slightly smoky, nutty flavour when brewed. The brewed liquor has a deep ruby red colour and boasts a string of health giving properties. What we can confirm is that Rooibos is both caffeine free and has 50% more cancer-inhibiting antioxidants than green tea.
The Blood Red Acraea Butterfly
Acarea petraea
In nature the colour red usually signals danger. The Blood Red Acarea feeds on plants like passion fruits that contain cyanogenic glycoside. Once ingested the ‘cyanide’ makes them toxic to predators and enables the little red butterfly to get on with nectar feeding totally unmolested.
