Red Tea

Red Tea carries a relatively recent story in perfumery, but its roots in Southern Africa run far deeper. Indigenous Khoisan peoples of the Cedarberg region used rooibos for centuries as both a beverage and a medicinal remedy — the plant was believed to calm nervous tension and ease skin conditions. European colonists adopted the drink throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, but rooibos remained primarily a folk remedy and regional curiosity outside South Africa until the early 20th century. In 1904, a Russian-born herbalist named Benjamin Ginsberg recognized the commercial potential of rooibos and began promoting it more broadly, eventually establishing a supply chain that brought the plant to national and international markets. Fragrance chemists only began exploring rooibos as a perfumery material in the late 20th century, when niche perfumers sought unusual ingredients that could convey warmth and natural authenticity without the sharpness of traditional tea accords. Today, rooibos cultivation supports a network of small-scale farmers in the Clanwilliam and Citrusdal districts, and sustainable farming practices have become central to the ingredient's production — a notable shift toward ethical sourcing in a space where many natural materials still face traceability challenges.