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Is rooibos tea caffeine-free?
Pure rooibos is naturally caffeine-free because it comes from the South African Aspalathus linearis plant, not the tea plant Camellia sinensis. The one exception: rooibos blended with real tea.
Yes, pure rooibos is naturally caffeine-free. It is not actually a tea in the strict sense: rooibos comes from Aspalathus linearis, a shrubby legume native to South Africa, not from Camellia sinensis, the plant behind black, green, white and oolong tea. Because the rooibos plant simply does not produce caffeine, plain red or green rooibos contains none at all.
That makes it one of the few naturally caffeine-free options that still brews into a full-bodied, satisfying cup, which is why a lot of people reach for it in the evening. There is one catch worth knowing about, though.
Why is rooibos caffeine-free?
Caffeine is a compound that certain plants produce, including the tea plant, the coffee plant, cacao and a handful of others. The rooibos shrub is not one of them. So unlike a "true" tea, where caffeine is naturally present in the leaf, a rooibos infusion starts with zero caffeine and stays that way. Steeping it longer or hotter will not create caffeine that was never there.
The one exception: check the blend
The word "rooibos" on a label does not always mean pure rooibos. Some products blend rooibos with black or green tea, or sell a "rooibos chai" built on a tea base, and those will contain caffeine from the added true tea. If you need it to be completely caffeine-free, read the ingredient list and look for 100% rooibos with no Camellia sinensis in the mix.
How rooibos compares on caffeine
| Drink | Caffeine per cup (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Pure rooibos | 0 mg |
| Green tea | 25–45 mg |
| Black tea | 40–50 mg |
| Coffee | ~95 mg |
Because it carries no caffeine, rooibos is a common choice late in the day. For other low- and no-caffeine options, see tea for sleep, and for how the true teas stack up, green tea vs black tea.
The health benefits of rooibos tea in humans (Aspalathus linearis): a scoping review
A scoping review that maps the human research on rooibos, including its caffeine-free, naturally low-tannin profile and its antioxidant content. It describes what the published studies cover, not a guaranteed result for any individual.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a health condition, talk to a qualified healthcare provider before making any drink a daily habit.
Frequently asked questions
Does rooibos have any caffeine at all?
Pure rooibos has none. It comes from a plant that does not produce caffeine. Only blends that mix rooibos with black or green tea contain caffeine, from the added true tea.
Is red rooibos caffeine-free but green rooibos not?
Both are caffeine-free. “Red” and “green” rooibos are just oxidised and unoxidised versions of the same plant; neither contains caffeine.
Can I drink rooibos at night?
Many people do, precisely because it has no caffeine. As general information rather than medical advice: if caffeine usually disrupts your sleep, a naturally caffeine-free infusion avoids that issue.
Is rooibos actually a tea?
Not technically. “True” teas come from Camellia sinensis. Rooibos is a herbal infusion from Aspalathus linearis, a South African legume, so it is more accurately called a tisane.
Does rooibos chai have caffeine?
It depends on the blend. A rooibos chai built only on rooibos and spices is caffeine-free; one that adds black tea is not. Check the ingredient list.