8 Delicious Rooibos smoothies to fight winter colds and flu

Prevention is key so be sure to boost those immune fighting soldiers with any one or a combination of these enjoyable eight Rooibos power smoothies created by the Rooibos Council.

1. Rooibos, Strawberry and Orange Smoothie

Ingredients for 1 serving

1 – 2 rooibos tea bags

125 ml boiling water

225 g frozen strawberries

½ a peeled and chopped orange

125 g silken tofu

1 tbsp vanilla protein powder

1 tsp liquid honey, optional

Step-by-step

1. Put the rooibos bags in a teapot or heatproof jug and pour over the water. Steep for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove the bag. Leave to cool.
2. Put the tea, berries, tofu and protein powder into a blender and process until smooth. Sweeten to taste with honey and pour into glasses. Serve immediately.

Handy tip:

• Silken tofu adds a lovely creamy richness
• Replace the rooibos tea bag with a red berries rooibos tea bag

2. Blueberry pomegranate Rooibos Antioxidant Smoothie

Ingredients for 2 medium servings

1 banana

1 cup fresh pomegranate arils

1/2 cup frozen blueberries and/or strawberries

1 Tbsp ground flaxseed

1 Tbsp whey or hemp protein

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp flaxseed or hemp oil

10 – 15 ml lemon juice

2 – 3 bags of rooibos tea

1,5 cups boiling water plus 1 cup ice

Step-by-step

1. Put the rooibos bags in a teapot or heatproof jug and pour over the water. Steep for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove the bag. Leave to cool.
2. Put the remainder of the ingredients and the tea into a blender and process until smooth. Sweeten (if necessary) to taste with honey and pour into glasses. Serve immediately.

3. Rooibos, Youngberry and banana smoothie

Ingredients for 1 serving

1 ½ bananas

1 – 2 rooibos tea bags

125 ml boiling water

1/3 cup frozen berries (youngberries or raspberries)

¼ cup milk

250 ml plain yoghurt

Chia seeds or sunflower seeds

Goji berries

Step-by-step

1. Put the rooibos bags in a teapot or heatproof jug and pour over the water. Steep for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove the bag. Leave to cool.
2. Combine all ingredients into a blender besides the chia seeds and goji berries.
3. Blend until creamy and top with chia seeds and goji berries.
4. Serve immediately.

4. Green Rooibos Smoothie

Ingredients for 1 serving

1 small apple, cored

5 cm piece cucumber

1 stalk celery, including leaves

1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, including stems

1 cup baby greens (your choice of spinach, chard, kale)

1/8 slice of lemon (including rind)

10 ml lemon juice

1 kiwi peeled

1/4 cup raw almonds

1 Tbsp chia or sunflower seeds (optional)

1 cup brewed Green Rooibos tea, chilled

6-8 ice cubes

Step-by-step

• Combine all ingredients except ice cubes in a high-powered blender.
• Blend on high until smooth.
• Add ice cubes one at a time until fully crushed and mixed.
• Serve immediately.

Handy tip:

• Add an extra peach or lemon flavoured rooibos tea bag

5. Pear and Rooibos Vanilla Smoothie

Ingredients for 1 serving

1 rooibos vanilla flavoured tea bag

80ml (1/3 cup) boiling water

2 pears, cored and diced (no need to peel, unless you want to)

1 – 2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

4 tablespoons oats

250 ml plain yoghurt

125ml (1/2 cup) rice (or soy / almond / cow) milk, chilled

5 ml lemon juice

Step-by-step

1. Place the tea bag into a mug and pour over the boiling water. Add the honey and stir to dissolve.
2. Let the tea bag steep for 1-5 minutes depending on the strength you like.
3. Remove tea bag and refrigerate the tea for a few minutes to cool.
4. Put the pear and oats into a blender and pour over the tea.
5. Pour in the rice milk and blend until smooth.
6. Serve immediately.

Handy tip:

• The thinness of the rice milk keeps it light and fruity

6. Chai Rooibos Smoothie

Ingredients for 1 serving

1/4 cup of brewed chai rooibos tea, cooled to room temperature

1/2 medium-ripe banana

1/2 cup full fat coconut milk

1 or 2 tbs of raw honey

1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp of ground ginger

Optional: add a protein powder

Ice – couple of handfuls

Step-by-step

1. Add all of the above ingredients and ice to a blender
2. Blend until creamy smooth
3. Garnish with banana slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired

Handy tip:

This simple chai tea smoothie is a slightly sweet and definitely spicy treat; and is gluten-free and dairy-free.

7. granadilla, peach and Citrus Rooibos Smoothie

Ingredients for 4 medium servings

500 ml boiling water

2 – 4 rooibos teabags

2 oranges / grapefruit / naartjies peeled

2 peaches, rinsed and cut up

500 ml plain yoghurt

115 g granadilla pulp

10 ml lime or lemon juice

Honey as needed

Step-by-step

1. Add boiling water to the teabags and remove them after 7 minutes.  Set aside and let the tea cool down.
2. Puree citrus, peaches, yoghurt, granadilla pulp and tea in a blender until thick and smooth.
3. Add honey and stir.
4. Serve chilled.
6. Rooibos Nutty Smoothie

Ingredients for 1 serving

2 – 3 rooibos tea bags

250 ml boiling water

1 – 2 bananas

250 ml almond milk

1 tablespoon smooth peanut, cashew, or almond butter

1 tbsp vanilla protein powder

1 tsp liquid honey, optional

10 – 15 ml lemon juice

Sprinkle on cinnamon (optional)

Step-by-step

1. Put the rooibos bags in a teapot or heatproof jug and pour over the water. Steep for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove the bag. Leave to cool.
2. Put the tea, bananas, almond milk, peanut/cashew/almond butter and protein powder into a blender and process until smooth. Sweeten to taste with honey and pour into glasses. Serve immediately or transfer to a thermos.