rooibos
noun
roo·i·bos
| \ ˈrȯi-ˌbȯs
, ˈrü-ē-, -ˌbäs
\
, ˈrü-ē-, -ˌbäs
\
Definition of rooibos
1
: a small bush (Aspalathus linearis) of the legume family native to western South Africa that typically grows in nutrient-poor, sandy soils and has green, needlelike leaves and yellow flowers
Rooibos is an erect or straggling, slender-stemmed heath-like bush …— Jacobus F. N. Smith et al.
2 or rooibos tea
a
: the dried leaves and young stems of the rooibos bush used especially in making herbal tea
Note: When subjected to oxidation during processing, the leaves and stems of the rooibos bush turn reddish-brown. Rooibos tea may be referred to as red rooibos when exposed to significant oxidation or green rooibos when exposed to minimal oxidation.
b
: an aromatic, slightly sweet, typically reddish-brown, herbal tea prepared from dried rooibos leaves and stems by steeping them in hot water
We each stocked up on some loose leaf tea and ordered some drinks—a vanilla rooibos latte with coconut milk and kombucha on tap.— Allison Fong
Note: Rooibos tea is also known as red bush tea and red tea.
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