Around the World in a Teacup: South Africa

Rooibos, Honeybush & the Ritual of Everyday Tea

Tea in South Africa is not defined by formality or ceremony. It is generous, grounding, and woven into daily life. Tea is brewed strong, shared freely, and enjoyed at all hours — at kitchen tables, during work breaks, and in moments of rest at the end of the day.

As we begin our journey Around the World in a Teacup, South Africa offers the perfect place to start: a land where indigenous herbal wisdom, community, and comfort live together in every cup.

A Land Shaped by Sun, Soil & Story

South Africa’s diverse landscapes — from mountains and coastlines to semi-arid regions — have long shaped the way people live, eat, and heal. Long before colonial influence, Indigenous communities relied on the plants of the land for nourishment and medicine. Two of the most treasured gifts to emerge from this relationship with nature are rooibos and honeybush.

Unlike traditional tea made from Camellia sinensis, these herbal infusions are deeply local, growing nowhere else in the world.

Rooibos: The Red Bush of South Africa

Rooibos, meaning “red bush” in Afrikaans, grows naturally in the Cederberg region of South Africa. Used for generations by Indigenous Khoisan peoples, rooibos has become a national staple — brewed in homes across the country from morning until night.

Naturally caffeine-free and low in tannins, rooibos is smooth, earthy, and slightly sweet. It’s enjoyed by children and elders alike, often brewed strong and served with milk, honey, or simply on its own.

Rooibos is more than a beverage — it is comfort, care, and familiarity in a cup.

Honeybush: Gentle, Floral & Restful

Honeybush is rooibos’ softer sister. With a naturally sweet, floral aroma and mellow taste, honeybush is traditionally enjoyed in the evening or after meals.

Like rooibos, honeybush is caffeine-free and deeply rooted in South African herbal tradition. It supports relaxation and digestion and is often shared during quiet moments — a tea for winding down, reflecting, and resting.

Tea as an Everyday Ritual

In South Africa, tea is not reserved for special occasions. It is a constant companion — something that brings people together rather than something that sets moments apart.

Tea is served alongside conversation, hospitality, and simple pleasures. It is often enjoyed while playing traditional games like Morabaraba, sharing stories, or welcoming guests into the home.

This is tea as connection — unpretentious and deeply human.

What’s Served with Tea in South Africa

Tea is frequently paired with comforting, familiar sweets rather than elaborate desserts. These treats are meant to be shared, dunked, and enjoyed slowly.

Some of the most beloved accompaniments include:

Malva pudding — a warm, sponge-like dessert served with custard or cream

Koeksisters — syrup-soaked pastries, either braided or spiced in the Cape Malay tradition

Milk tart (melktert) — a gently spiced custard tart dusted with cinnamon

Rusks (beskuit) — dry, twice-baked biscuits made specifically for dunking in tea

Together, these foods reflect the spirit of South African tea culture: comforting, generous, and meant for togetherness.

A Teacup That Tells a Story

South African tea culture reminds us that tea does not need ceremony to be sacred. Sometimes the most meaningful cups are the ones brewed daily — shared without fuss, accompanied by simple sweets, and offered as an act of care.

As we begin this year’s journey Around the World in a Teacup, South Africa invites us to slow down, brew generously, and remember that tea, at its heart, is about connection.