The region is, in fact, the only place in the world where rooibos grows.
This was a shamanic site of the San, the nomadic hunter-gatherers who first inhabited South Africa.
The paintings are 3,000 to 10,000 years old.
Harvesting rooibos in the Cederberg Mountains.Credit:Tommy Trenchard/Panos Pictures/Redux
They were also not properly recognized for having discovered and perfected it.
(The proceeds are intended to go into development and aid projects throughout the country.)
I drove out to theWupperthal Original Rooibos Cooperative, in the Tra-Tra Valley.
On a drive at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve.Courtesy of Bushmans Kloof
In 2021, rooibos became the first African product to be granted protected designation of origin status.
As with champagne in France, the namerooibosis exclusive to South Africa.
Thats a lot of tea going out into the world.
From left: A flight of rooibos teas at Carmién Tea Shop; fermented and dried rooibos leaves.From left: Courtesy Carmién Tea Shop; Getty Images
Were glad its being protected so nobody else can call their product rooibos.
This is especially good for our farmers who have just a small amount of land.
The exhibit is filled with old machinery, tools, teapots, tattered vintage packaging, and maps.
Informational panels explain the processing and grading of rooibos.
I imagined the distinctive tone spreading out into the world, through fashion and other ways.
These things keep the nation together, she said.
That is also what rooibos does.
It gives hope for a better tomorrow.
A version of this story first appeared in the December 2024 issue ofTravel + Leisureunder the headline Freshly Brewed.
