Like rooibos, honeybush comes from the mountains of the Cape. Though its history is not widely known, this golden infusion has long been prized for its gentle sweetness and natural honey notes. It is simple to prepare and pairs beautifully with a wide range of flavours. Here is everything you need to know about this remarkable herbal infusion.
What is honeybush, the honey bush infusion?
Like rooibos and yerba mate, honeybush is a beverage made from a shrub. It grows only on the arid slopes of the Cederberg mountains, north of Cape Town. The plants there are entirely organic.
Its botanical name is cyclopia, though it is more commonly known as the honey bush, a name inspired by the sweet scent of its yellow flowers.
Honeybush is made from the leaves of the shrub, which are harvested and dried before being ground into a powder, coarser or finer depending on the product.
Unlike many classic infusions such as yerba mate, this golden drink is completely free of theine and caffeine.
How did this golden herbal infusion travel from Africa to the world?
Every family in Cape Town has their own version of the story behind honeybush. Growing in the Cederberg mountains, it was among the natural plants harvested by local tribes, who enjoyed it as part of their daily traditions (much like red rooibos), passed down through the generations.
As trade routes developed, countless maritime companies made port in South Africa. Some witnessed the place of honeybush and red rooibos in local traditions firsthand.
According to various accounts, it was these traders who first brought the plant to Europe. Some credit the Dutch, who reportedly collected several species of cyclopia to bring home. Others point to the English, who are said to have used the drink as an alternative to their traditional cup of tea.
What are the characteristics of this golden Cape infusion?
Honeybush shares many of the same qualities as red rooibos, which is hardly surprising given that both plants belong to the same botanical family.
It was the Khoi people who first embraced honeybush as part of their traditions. Today, this African plant is increasingly enjoyed, as an infusion, for its gentle sweetness and rich heritage.
Its composition is remarkable:
- pinitol;
- xanthones (antioxidants);
- vitamins (primarily vitamin C);
- minerals.
The honey-flavoured plant is enjoyed for its comforting qualities:
- a natural scent of wild honey;
- a smooth, round cup with no bitterness;
- a caffeine- and theine-free infusion, at any time of day;
- a comforting alternative to coffee or tea;
- a quiet moment to enjoy alone or to share.
How do you prepare a honeybush infusion?
Like rooibos, honeybush is an organic infusion. For a golden drink with deep honey aromas, steep for 10 minutes in water at 90°C. For the right dosage, simply use one teaspoon of organic loose leaves (or one tea bag) per cup of water.
Cyclopia is naturally rich in antioxidants: water that is too hot can dull its qualities, while cold water tends to mute its aromas. Enjoyed as a pleasure drink, honeybush is no substitute for a balanced diet or medical advice. Specialists agree that honeybush can be left to steep longer than most teas, as it never turns bitter.
You can add a fruity dimension to your plain honeybush with strawberry or orange. Vanilla and ginger also complement the subtle sweetness of the honey blossoms beautifully, making for a wonderful change from the traditional cup of tea.
What are the differences between honeybush and rooibos?
Rooibos (red or green) and honeybush are closely related plants. Both are naturally free of theine, yet these two infusions differ mainly in taste, colour and properties.
Where red rooibos develops notes of hazelnut and fruit, honeybush carries the warm scent of wild honey. The deep red of rooibos also contrasts with the golden hues of its sister shrub. As for their profiles, the two are complementary: it is the presence of pinitol that gives the golden infusion from Cape Town its distinctive character.
Which honeybush tea makes the perfect gift?
Organic honeybush has made a striking entrance into the world of gift sets. In place of coffee or tea, Cape Town plant-based blends are winning hearts across the board.
Gift sets can be tailored in countless ways, though the tea bag format tends to be the most popular. It opens up a world of varied infusions with rich, exotic notes:
- strawberry and vanilla;
- orange and ginger;
- organic red rooibos.
To preserve the full flavour of cyclopia, the weight of the plant should always exceed that of any added ingredients. Many accessories can be used to brew honeybush and rooibos, though the tea bag format is often the most convenient option.
