Green Rooibos
Last Updated: Apr. 4, 2012
↑About Green Rooibos
Green rooibos, sometimes called green bush, is rooibos that has been processed similarly to green tea, so as to stop the oxidation that would lead to its turning into red rooibos. Because the process used to make red rooibos is so simple (unlike the processes used to make black tea), and the process used in making green rooibos is more complex, green rooibos tends to be more expensive than red.
Green rooibos has a light, straw-like color and an aroma that is often described as being "fresher" than red rooibos. Green rooibos is a recent invention that arose when people who had knowledge of methods of producing green tea began producing rooibos; traditionally all rooibos was red.
Typically, green rooibos ends up with some pieces of red leaf and stem mixed in. Depending on how much red is mixed in, the cup will brew a color ranging from golden to a deep orange, but always lighter than the dark red of red rooibos.
Supposed health benefits
Green rooibos is frequently promoted as having more antioxidants than red rooibos, much in the same way green tea is promoted as having more antioxidants than black tea. While the antioxidant activity of rooibos is well-established, there is not enough evidence to back the claim that green rooibos has more antioxidants, nor is there evidence that rooibos has more antioxidants than tea.While there have not been many studies comparing green to red rooibos, one study found roughly comparable activity between green and red, with green showing more activity by one measure and red showing more by a different measure.[1] It is also worth noting that there is no solid evidence that green tea is universally more beneficial to your health than black tea or other types of tea.[2]
References:
1. A. Von Gadow, E. Joubert, C. F. Hansmann, Comparison of the antioxidant activity of rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) with green, oolong and black tea, Food Chemistry, Vol. 60, No. 1, Sep. 1997, pp. 73-77.
2. Zorach, Alex, Health Benefits of Tea - How These Effects Vary Among Different Types of Tea, EzineArticles.com, Nov. 1, 2009.
↑Recent Green Rooibos Reviews — RSS 
Raw Green Rooibos (Raw Green Bush Tea) from Republic of Tea
Style: Green Rooibos – Region: South AfricaFeb. 26th, 2015
Interesting tea--herbaceous in a way that reminds me of some tulsi teas, though this has no tulsi in it. I haven't had green rooibos before--this one being pretty good means I should probably try other varieties of it.
Grassy, but not in the same way as green teas, is how I'd describe this tea's aroma, flavor, and m...
South African Green Rooibos (Red Bush) Superior from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Green Rooibos – Region: South AfricaOct. 8th, 2013
The aroma of the little leaves is very clean and reminiscent of standing in a hay field. I also notice hints of strawberry which was nice. Once brewed the aroma becomes much sweeter and takes on floral notes.
The taste is good! Not as sweet as the oxidized version but still sweet, no floral tastes but the fruit make...
Green Rooibos (Rooibos, Green Tea) from Mountain Rose Herbs
Style: Green Rooibos – Region: South AfricaJun. 25th, 2012
Upon sampling the green rooibos from Mountain Rose Herbs, this became a new favorite for me, and my new preferred source of green rooibos.
Although the dry leaf is light green in color, I found that the flavor of this was more similar to red rooibos than other green rooibos samples. Brews a light orange color.
I...
Green Rooibos - Sweet African Red from Numi Organic Tea
Style: Green Rooibos – Region: South AfricaFeb. 20th, 2012
I thought I'd try something new when I saw this box of tea at my local health food store and remember seeing Rooibos on the list of teas on this site, so I bought a box.
I wasn't sure of how it smelled until I got home as the box was sealed as were the bags, but it has a nice sweet "grassy" scent.
The green rooib...
I really like this! It's astonishingly different from the other green Rooibos I've tried, from Upton. This one has a bit of red leaf/stem mixed in and brews a bright orange color.
I recommend a very long steeping time; after 3 minutes the aroma hasn't fully developed. The aroma is fresh, light, and clean, with a ...
Read More Reviews of Green Rooibos (6) ...
↑Top Reviewers
| Rank | User | # | % |
| 1 |  Alex Zorach | 3 | 21 |
| 2 |  Amanda | 1 | 7 |
| 3 |  Brytta Sóþword | 1 | 7 |
| 4 |  Cyn Coleman | 1 | 7 |
Review 2 teas to get on this list!
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↑Most-Rated Green Rooibos
South African Green Rooibos (Red Bush) Superior
| Brand: | Upton Tea Imports |
| Style: | Green Rooibos |
| Region: | South Africa |
| Caffeine: | Caffeine Free |
| Leaf: | Loose |
Raw Green Rooibos (Raw Green Bush Tea)
| Brand: | Republic of Tea |
| Style: | Green Rooibos |
| Region: | South Africa |
| Caffeine: | Caffeine Free |
| Leaf: | Teabag |
Green Rooibos (Rooibos, Green Tea)
| Brand: | Mountain Rose Herbs |
| Style: | Green Rooibos |
| Region: | South Africa |
| Caffeine: | Caffeine Free |
| Leaf: | Loose |
Green Rooibos (Green Bush)
| Brand: | Rishi Tea |
| Style: | Green Rooibos |
| Region: | South Africa |
| Caffeine: | Caffeine Free |
| Leaf: | Loose |
Green Rooibos - Sweet African Red
| Brand: | Numi Organic Tea |
| Style: | Green Rooibos |
| Region: | South Africa |
| Caffeine: | Caffeine Free |
| Leaf: | Teabag |
