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  • #16
    Despite drinking rooibos tea daily I haven't tried the red espresso, thought it was a bit of a gimmick when I saw it in coffee shops in Cape Town. What does it taste like? Did you come across it in a local café?

    It appears easy enough to find a local source on google, but I'm not sure it's worth the effort if it isn't much different to my usual cup. Traditionally rooibos is boiled, which makes for a much stronger tea anyway. The youtube clip also shows them pre-infusing to expand the tea and create resistance.

    Reading the wiki article it's interesting to note that a US company trademarked the name "Rooibos" and later lost a legal battle for the trademark - bleedin' cheek!

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    • #17
      Originally posted by habahabanero View Post
      Reading the wiki article it's interesting to note that a US company trademarked the name "Rooibos" and later lost a legal battle for the trademark - bleedin' cheek!
      Reminds me of the Ugg Boot affair...

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      • #18
        It's no more a coffee alternative than any other tea is.


        Java "Search engines are your friends" phile
        Toys! I must have new toys!!!

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        • #19
          Red espresso

          My wife does not share my coffee addiction but likes her tea. I noticed this at a store the other day and bought a packet. Served as a latte she loves it.

          Click image for larger version

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          Despite what it says on the packet, it doesn't pour like espresso, more of a gusher and you don't get crema like it shows on the pic. Regardless, it tastes quite nice.

          Has anyone else tried this?

          Just thought I would share my new discovery.

          Cheers

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          • #20
            Where do you buy it in person?

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            • #21
              In Duncraig (Perth), at this little South African shop. Pretty sure they had some others there. Will have a look when I am there next. It's made is SA so perhaps other such shops stock it?

              I just realised I should have used the dual wall basket to mimic stale coffee and slow down the pour. Will give that a go tomorrow.

              Cheers

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              • #22
                yea have seen it in a few places around perth
                always wondered what it tastes like

                i'm curious why they are trying to market it as a close coffee substitute
                is it anywhere close?

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                • #23
                  No where near it in taste to coffee. But it is quite nice. I am not a big fan of roibos tea but as a latte this is quite ok.

                  Keen to see if it produces more "crema" using a pressurised basket, and see how it flows.

                  It doesn't compact down in the basket with the tamper at all.

                  Must say it's a bit strange. Normally tea has a higher water temp and longer steep time to coffee.

                  Cheers

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                  • #24
                    Looking at the bag it's designed for a plunger, which would make it the same as any tea where it's steeped for a while.

                    I think the name is just a play on words to get more people thinking it's something it's not, of course it doesn't taste like coffee because it isn't coffee, it's tea!

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                    • #25
                      Search engines are your friends!


                      Java "Merged!" phile
                      Toys! I must have new toys!!!

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                      • #26
                        Thanks Java

                        Yeah good point, it is tea!!

                        The packet does mention other methods including espresso machine, moka pot, and filter. No doubt they all produce something tasty.

                        Cheers

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by artman View Post
                          The packet does mention other methods including espresso machine, moka pot, and filter. No doubt they all produce something tasty.
                          Well, they will produce something! Beware of the thorough cleaning the brewer will need every time after being used with the red stuff to avoid contaminating the real coffee!


                          Java "Not a fan of the Red stuff" phile
                          Toys! I must have new toys!!!

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                          • #28
                            Tried a shot yesterday with the pressurised basket. "Crema" was increased but it was stiff and full of bubbles, making art not as effective. My wife also said it tasted bitter but weak.

                            Cheers

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                            • #29
                              I stumbled across this variety of caffeine-free espresso drink by chance, and managed to get one of the specialty PF basket (essentially less holes to increase brew time) and a bag of red espresso (preground rooibos tea).
                              Unlike some people have experienced, I actually find it quite pleasant in a latte-style drink, the crema is decent if you follow the instruction:
                              1. Pre-infusion till espresso comes out,
                              2. Stop (with manual lever or paddle),
                              3. wait 20sec for the tea to brew,
                              4. pull a shot in 20 seconds.

                              See picture of 2 shots pulled with and without pre-infusion brew time, you can notice significant more crema as a result. Taste wise, it's sweet and salty with the typical rooibos tea earthy mouthfeel, quite pleasant to drink with frothed milk.
                              Also make sure to flush with wiggling technique and back-flush.
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                              • #30
                                I havent used the coffee machine to brew, too much cleaning up to "disinfect" the machine afterwards.

                                Have done a few brews in the aeropress, find it much more effective as you can easily steep for longer and to me it tastes better.

                                Cheers

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