When you read the words tall red steamer, do you think of what I think of? Maybe it’s a new version of tall dark and handsome? Unfortunately it is not, but fortunately for you- it is still delicious.

A tall red steamer is a Rooibos tea cappuccino. Created by the redespresso brand in South Africa, This delicious caffiene-free drink will still warm your heart when you are not looking to get jittery.

I first came across the Tall Red Steamer when living in South Africa. We took so many road trips to explore the different landscapes this beautiful country offers. At the CALTEX gas stations, they often have a Seattle Coffee Company, which is South Africa’s version of starbucks. And boy do they have some really great coffees and amazing baristas. Highly recommend checking out a Seattle Coffee if you are travelling around South Africa.

What is Rooibos

Rooibos actually means red bush in afrikaans, which is exactly where it comes from. It is a tea that is plucked from the rooibos plant in the western cape region of south africa, and is a protected food (like how champagne is only champagne if it comes from champagne type of thing;)). The tea has a red tint to it- hence the red in tall red steamer.

A brilliant company named redespresso turned the tea into a more thick blend that works well as a coffee substitute. the “espresso” rooibos has more depth and intensity than the typical rooibos tea. You can even put it in an espresso basket, in a french press, or even an aeropress. The one major exception is that it does not work well in an automatic coffee filter machine.

Lucky for us, thats not the way we are going to brew it anyway.

We’re going to use the Moka pot to brew this red espresso.

First step is to brew the strong tea:

• Fill the bottom of the moka pot with warm water, up to the notch on the side. if you fill it past the notch it is truly not good news. I have had many an attempts where the water has over flowed and just created a big mess.
• Fill the filter basket to the top with redespresso. be sure not to tamp down and pack the tea too tightly. create an even top layer for best results
• Carefully put the espresso basket in the bottom of the mokapot filled with water. the basket should just barely float atop the water, but not overflow.
• screw the top half of the moka pot onto the bottom and heat over a stove on medium heat.
• let percolate and fill the top of the moka pot. Remove from heat once full.
• Pour half the brew into a medium coffee mug.

Next up, steam your milk!

• Pour your milk of choice into a milk frother and crank it up!
• When finished, pour milk directly into the coffee mug filled with redespresso, holding back the top of the froth
• Scoop the froth onto the top of the cappuccino.

If you like your hot drinks on the sweeter side, add honey to it rather than sugar. The two compliment eachother so well. I on the otherhand prefer it without. I find the tea pretty sweet on its own.

Sip and enjoy! Without the jitters 😉