Does Rooibos Have Caffeine? What to Know About Red Bush Tea
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Short answer: no. Pure rooibos is naturally caffeine-free. It is not made from the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, which is where the caffeine in black, green and white tea comes from. Rooibos comes from a different plant entirely, a South African shrub called Aspalathus linearis, and it contains no caffeine. So if you are asking “does rooibos have caffeine” because you want a warm cup at night, plain rooibos is a safe bet.
The catch is in the word “plain”: some rooibos blends add black tea, green tea or mate. Here is how to tell the difference and get the most from your cup.
Key takeaways
- Rooibos comes from Aspalathus linearis, a legume-family shrub from South Africa, not from the tea plant.
- Pure rooibos, red or green, is caffeine-free.
- Blends labeled “rooibos chai” or “rooibos breakfast” may contain black tea; always read the ingredient list.
- Rooibos is low in tannins, so it tolerates long steeping without turning harsh.
- Since 2021, “rooibos” has been a Protected Designation of Origin in the European Union.
In this article
- Why rooibos has no caffeine
- Rooibos vs coffee and tea
- When a rooibos blend does have caffeine
- How to brew rooibos
- FAQ
Does rooibos have caffeine? Why the answer is no
Caffeine is made by a short list of plants: coffee, the tea plant, cacao, guarana, yerba mate and a few others. It likely evolved as a defense against insects and competing plants, a story we tell in why coffee plants make caffeine. Rooibos is not on that list.
Aspalathus linearis belongs to the legume family (Fabaceae), the same broad family as peas and beans. It grows wild in a small area of South Africa’s Western Cape, in the fynbos vegetation, and is cultivated mainly in the Cederberg area and neighboring districts of the Western and Northern Cape. The name is Afrikaans for “red bush,” which is why British shops often call it redbush tea.
Because it is not true tea, rooibos is technically an herbal infusion, or tisane. That is why you will find it next to chamomile and peppermint rather than next to Earl Grey.
Red vs green rooibos
Most rooibos is oxidized (often called fermented): the cut leaves are bruised, moistened and left to oxidize, which turns them that familiar reddish-brown and develops sweet, woody, honey-like flavors. Green rooibos skips most of that oxidation, so it tastes lighter, malty and slightly grassy, and it costs more to produce. Both are caffeine-free; the difference is flavor, not stimulation.
Rooibos vs coffee and tea: caffeine and flavor
For perspective, the US Food and Drug Administration lists 113 to 247 mg of caffeine in a 12-ounce cup of regular brewed coffee, about 71 mg in 12 ounces of black tea and about 37 mg in 12 ounces of green tea. Even decaf coffee has 2 to 15 mg per 8 ounces. Our coffee vs tea caffeine guide breaks down the numbers.
| Drink | Source plant | Caffeine | Flavor profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brewed coffee | Coffea | 113 to 247 mg per 12 oz (FDA) | Roasty, bitter-sweet, varies by origin |
| Black tea | Camellia sinensis | About 71 mg per 12 oz (FDA) | Malty, brisk, astringent |
| Green tea | Camellia sinensis | About 37 mg per 12 oz (FDA) | Grassy, vegetal |
| Red rooibos | Aspalathus linearis | None | Sweet, woody, honey, vanilla-like |
| Green rooibos | Aspalathus linearis | None | Lighter, malty, slightly grassy |
| Hibiscus, chamomile | Various herbs | None | Tart and fruity; floral |
One more difference worth knowing: rooibos is low in tannins compared with black and green tea. Tannins are what make an over-steeped black tea taste dry and harsh. With rooibos you can steep for 5 minutes or longer and the cup just gets fuller, not bitter.
When a rooibos blend does have caffeine
Rooibos is a popular base for blends, and some blenders mix it with caffeinated ingredients. Watch for these on the label:
- Black tea: common in rooibos chai or breakfast-style blends.
- Green tea or matcha: sometimes added for a “boost.”
- Yerba mate or guayusa: both contain caffeine.
- Chocolate or cacao pieces: cacao contains a small amount of caffeine and theobromine.
- Coffee: a few “rooibos mocha” style blends include it.
If a product says “caffeine-free” or “naturally caffeine free,” the blender is telling you none of these are present. If it only says “rooibos blend,” check the full ingredient list.
Who looks for caffeine-free rooibos?
People cutting back on caffeine for sleep, those who are sensitive to caffeine, and anyone who wants a hot drink late in the evening. Pregnant people frequently ask about it too. Herbal teas are not all equally studied, so if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or take medication, check with your doctor or midwife about any herbal tea you drink regularly.
How to brew rooibos for the best flavor
Rooibos is forgiving, which makes it a good first loose-leaf tea.
| Style | Amount | Water | Steep time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot, plain | About 1 heaped teaspoon (2 to 3 g) per 8 oz / 240 ml | Just off the boil, about 205 to 212°F (96 to 100°C) | 5 to 7 minutes |
| Strong, for milk | 2 teaspoons per 8 oz / 240 ml | Boiling | 7 to 10 minutes |
| Iced | Double strength | Boiling | 6 to 8 minutes, then pour over ice |
| Cold brew | 1 tablespoon per 16 oz / 475 ml | Cold, filtered | 8 to 12 hours in the fridge |
Use fully boiling water: unlike green tea, rooibos needs the heat to release its flavor. Rooibos takes milk and honey well, and a splash of vanilla or a cinnamon stick suits its natural sweetness. Because it has no caffeine, a second pot after dinner is no problem.
Rooibos at Feel Espresso
Our Apple Cider Rooibos is South African red bush tea with cinnamon, orange peel and warm spices, naturally caffeine-free and very good on a cold evening. If you like fruitier cups, Hibiscus Berry blends hibiscus, rosehips and rooibos with blueberry notes and is also caffeine-free, as is Chamomile Ginger for a softer, floral wind-down cup. You can browse them all in our tea collection.
Rooibos caffeine FAQ
Is rooibos tea caffeine-free?
Yes. Pure rooibos, red or green, comes from Aspalathus linearis, which does not produce caffeine.
Can I drink rooibos before bed?
Yes, plain rooibos contains no caffeine, so it is a popular evening drink. Just make sure your blend has no black tea, green tea or mate added.
Is rooibos a real tea?
Not botanically. True tea comes from Camellia sinensis. Rooibos is an herbal infusion, though everyone calls it tea.
Does green rooibos have caffeine?
No. Green rooibos is simply less oxidized. Its flavor is lighter, but like red rooibos it contains no caffeine.
Why is rooibos protected in Europe?
In May 2021 the European Union registered “rooibos” as a Protected Designation of Origin, so products sold under that name in the EU must come from its defined growing area in South Africa. It was the first African food name added to the EU register.
Sources
- Rooibos, Wikipedia, accessed October 2026.
- Rooibos designated by the EU as Protected Product of Origin, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, accessed October 2026.
- Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?, US Food and Drug Administration.
Facts checked in October 2026.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or take medication, ask your doctor before changing your caffeine intake.
Keep reading: Caffeine and sleep · How much caffeine is in decaf? · Tea collection