In South Africa, rooibos is more than a drink; it’s a way of life.
In recent years, the antioxidant-rich rooibos has garnered a cult following outside South Africa among proponents of natural medicine. Within the country, a modest tea-tourism industry has developed, aiming to draw travelers beyond South Africa’s vineyards and wildlife safaris.
In 2021, rooibos was granted “protected designation of origin” status by the European Union. The designation ensures quality and safeguards the name of a food or wine product that comes from a specific region and follows a particular traditional process. Rooibos is the only African product to have been added to the register, which includes specialty foods like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and champagne.
But in South Africa, rooibos is more than a drink; it’s a way of life. Travelers will find the tea is inextricably linked to the country’s culture and history, fraught as it is with the struggles of Indigenous people for equity and inclusion. The Khoi and San peoples were the first to ascertain the plant’s innumerable medicinal properties, make it into a tea, and introduce it to the Dutch colonists.
In 2018, after almost a decade of negotiations, the Indigenous people were formally acknowledged as the traditional knowledge holders of rooibos and were promised compensation for their seminal role in the industry. In July 2022, after four years of government delays, the communities finally received their
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Video: Flooding leaves Seoul South Korea partially underwater - CNN VideoHistoric flooding in Seoul, South Korea, has inundated homes, roads and subways, killing at least eight and forcing hundreds to evacuate.
Read more »
Record-breaking rainfall, flooding leaves at least 9 dead in Seoul, South KoreaAt least nine people have been killed after nearly 16 inches of rain led to historic flooding in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday, and forecasters warn an additional 10 inches could fall by the end of the week.
Read more »
South Korea Flooding Leaves 9 Dead, 6 Missing - Videos from The Weather ChannelSome of the heaviest downpours in decades caused massive flash flooding in South Korea Monday night, killing nine people and leaving six others missing. - Videos from The Weather Channel | weather.com
Read more »
Decomposing body found in garbage on Chicago's South Side: officialsA decomposing body was found amongst garbage Monday night on Chicago's South Side.
Read more »
1000 South Capitol: The Residential Evolution of Downtown D.C. - WashingtonianExplore the new gold standard of living at 1000 South Capitol, Lerner’s newest residential property in the heart of the Navy Yard’s Ballpark District. The flourishing area is currently the place to be for Nationals games, picnics on warm summer days and some of the best shopping, dining and nightlife that Washington D.C. has to
Read more »
Mexican Army Seizes Airplane from South America Carrying CocaineMexican authorities seized an airplane flown from South America with bundles of cocaine onboard. The plane landed in a southern jungle area.
Read more »