| Although rooibos was first
reported in 1772 by botanist Carl Thunberg, the Khoisan people of the area had been using
it for a long time and were aware of its medicinal
value. The Dutch settlers to the Cape adopted rooibos as
an alternative to black tea an expensive commodity for
the settlers who relied on supply ships from Europe.
Until the 19th century, however, Dutch usage of the tea
was minimal.
In 1903, Benjamin Ginsberg (a Russian settler to the Cape
and descendant of a famous tea family) realised the
potential of rooibos and began trading with the local
Khoisan people who were harvesting it. He sold his
"Mountain Tea" to settlers in the Cape and shortly
became the first exporter of rooibos using contacts from
the family tea business.
Rooibos is only grown in
a small area in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape
province. de Pakhuys region
has been growing Organic Rooibos since 1992.
Generally, the leaves are oxidized, or often
inaccurately referred to as fermented, to produce the distinctive
reddish-brown color, but unoxidized "green" rooibos is
also produced.
de Pakhuys caltivates
180ha of organic Rooibos and guests are welcome to join
us in the fields during the harvesting season! (January
- March)
Pakhuys is currently busy
with a three year project to convert the traditional
vineyard into a fully organic unit with Shiraz and
Chenin Blanc grapes. Once organically
certified, wine will be bottled under the de
Pakhuys logo.
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