Local inventions you were unaware of!

South Africa’s famous rooibos (red bush) tea is derived from an indigenous plant, Aspalathus linearis, which grows in the rugged Cederberg region of the Western Cape.

In 1904, a Russian immigrant called Benjamin Ginsberg, whose ancestors were tea traders, realised that Aspalathus leaves had the potential to produce a world-class tea and began trading with the local people who had been making health-promoting infusions from the plant for centuries.

In 1930, Pieter le Fras Nortier, a well-known medical doctor and nature lover, developed the germination techniques that led to rooibos becoming an agricultural crop. His enthusiasm spread to local farmers and soon rooibos was being grown and harvested commercially.

Rooibos tea is both nutritious and healthy as it contains no caffeine, additives or preservatives, and is low in tannins and high in antioxidants.

Much like sugarbush tea, it is rich in minerals such as iron, potassium, copper, calcium, manganese and zinc, and contains natural, non-fattening sweeteners, which makes it ideal for dieting.

Rooibos is known to reduce symptoms of asthma, hay fever, headaches, insomnia, hypertension and eczema, and has a soothing effect on the nervous system.

It is available in a variety of flavours, including blackcurrant, vanilla, almond and lemon mint. Rooibos has also been blended with buchu, honeybush, Gingko biloba, aloe, hibiscus, ginger, camomile and green tea.

As rooibos has a soothing effect on the skin, a range of skincare products have also been made, including creams, soap and bath salts. In terms of developing the full potential of an indigenous plant, rooibos is one of South Africa’s greatest success stories.

. What A Great Idea! is published by Jacana Media and can be purchased at major bookstores for a recommended R295