House of Rooibos Organic Herbal Tea

At least one reviewer noticed a tobacco-like smell when first opening the package, which can be a bit off-putting if you're not expecting it. This is actually fairly common with rooibos — the dried leaves have an earthy, slightly smoky aroma that some people associate with tobacco. The good news is that this doesn't translate into the brewed cup. Once steeped, the tea tastes smooth, fresh, and herbal — no smokiness or harshness.

Absolutely — and reviewers specifically call it out as making excellent iced tea. Several mention adding lemon for a refreshing cold drink. Because rooibos doesn't get bitter when over-steeped, it's one of the most forgiving teas for cold brewing — just drop a couple of bags in a pitcher of cold water, let it sit in the fridge for a few hours, and you've got a smooth, caffeine-free iced tea. It works equally well brewed hot and poured over ice if you prefer that method.

Because it's completely caffeine-free, you can drink it any time — and that's one of its biggest selling points. Reviewers mention using it for afternoon relaxation, evening wind-down, and even as an all-day sipper. It's especially good as an after-dinner tea when you want something warm and soothing without worrying about it keeping you up at night. There's genuinely no wrong time for this one.

It's a great starting point. The flavor is approachable and smooth — not too earthy or strong — and the brewing is very forgiving, so you don't need to worry about steeping time the way you would with green or white teas. It works well both hot and iced, which gives you room to experiment and find how you like it best. One thing to know: if you've never had rooibos before, the taste might take a cup or two to grow on you. It's different from traditional tea, but most people come around quickly.

Since it's completely caffeine-free, this rooibos is well-suited for daily and even all-day consumption — several reviewers mention drinking multiple cups throughout the day without any issues. The 80-bag box is actually designed with that kind of routine in mind. Rooibos is naturally low in tannins and rich in antioxidants, so it's generally considered a gentle tea for regular drinking. That said, as with any herbal tea, check with your doctor if you have specific health concerns or are on medication.

Yes, rooibos is naturally and completely caffeine-free — it's not a decaffeinated tea where caffeine has been removed through processing. Rooibos comes from a different plant entirely (Aspalathus linearis, a red bush native to South Africa), so it never contains caffeine in the first place. This makes it a great option if you're caffeine-sensitive, pregnant, or just want to enjoy tea in the evening without affecting your sleep.

Rooibos tea is generally considered kidney-friendly. Unlike black or green tea, it's naturally very low in oxalates, which are the compounds that can contribute to kidney stones. It's also caffeine-free, so it won't act as a diuretic the way caffeinated teas can. This makes House of Rooibos a solid daily choice if you're watching your kidney health — though if you have an existing kidney condition, it's always worth running it by your doctor first.

Rooibos tea does not contain estrogen. It does contain trace amounts of phytoestrogens — plant compounds that can weakly mimic estrogen — but the levels in rooibos are very low compared to foods like soy or flaxseed. Most research suggests the amounts are not significant enough to have a hormonal effect for the vast majority of people. If you have a hormone-sensitive condition and are concerned, it's best to consult your doctor, but for most tea drinkers this isn't a practical concern.