Wellness Rooted in Place: Sipping Organic Buchu and Rooibos Where the Cederberg Breathes

Skimmelberg Team
Wellness Rooted in Place: Sipping Organic Buchu and Rooibos Where the Cederberg Breathes

Wellness Rooted in Place: Sipping Organic Buchu and Rooibos Where the Cederberg Breathes

There is a stillness to the Cederberg mountains that goes beyond silence. It is the kind of calm you can taste—steeped slowly in a cup and carried on the air, mingling with the scents of fynbos after the sun warms the slopes. In the image we hold in our minds—a young woman pausing in a sea of indigenous flora—the moment feels honest and grounded. It mirrors the soul of Skimmelberg: a family-run, fully organic and ethically certified farm in Clanwilliam, South Africa, where generations have tended Buchu and Rooibos with care, patience, and purpose.

"Biodiversity is our passion."

Those four words guide everything we do. They speak to a way of farming that gives back to the land, to the well-being that comes from living in balance, and to the everyday joy of a cup of tea that honors its origin. In this long-form guide, we invite you into our world—into the ecosystems that shape our flavors, the family knowledge that shapes our craft, and the regenerative practices that shape our future. We will also share how to experience Skimmelberg in person on our tours, and how to explore our Buchu, Rooibos, Green Rooibos, and Wild Harvest collections from wherever you are.

Where Our Roots Run Deep: Clanwilliam, Cederberg Mountains

Skimmelberg is situated near Clanwilliam in the Cederberg mountains of the Western Cape—an area long celebrated for its indigenous flora and unique biodiversity. This region forms part of the broader Cape Floristic landscape, and its rugged terrain, dramatic climate, and nutrient-poor soils have shaped plants that are resilient, aromatic, and profoundly expressive. For our family, the land is more than a backdrop—it is a living teacher. The De Villiers family has protected and cultivated Buchu across generations, carrying forward intimate knowledge of the plant, its environment, and its careful stewardship.

Our home is not only where our teas grow; it is where our values are tested and affirmed. Being woven into the local community means our work must benefit the people and ecosystems around us. It means taking the long view—one that sees soil as a living community, water as a shared lifeline, and biodiversity as both responsibility and reward.

Meet the Plants: Rooibos and Buchu, Indigenous to South Africa

Two botanicals define Skimmelberg: Rooibos and Buchu. Each has a story rooted in the Western Cape's ecology and culture.

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis)

Rooibos is a naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion made from the needle-like leaves of Aspalathus linearis, a leguminous shrub indigenous to the Cederberg area. When lightly oxidized (often called "fermentation" in tea parlance), it develops the reddish hue and honeyed, softly nutty profile that makes Rooibos beloved worldwide. The unoxidized version is known as Green Rooibos—fresher in color, gently grassy in aroma, and appreciated for its delicate, clean taste. Rooibos contains unique polyphenols, including aspalathin, which have been studied for their antioxidant properties.

Explore our collections and a classic that brings you straight to the heart of our farm:

Buchu (Agathosma betulina and related species)

Buchu is a fragrant fynbos shrub indigenous to the Western Cape, traditionally valued for its aromatic leaves and essential oils. Its bracing, minty-citrus character invites a sensory connection to the mountainside itself—cool, lively, and unmistakably wild. The plant has a long history in local knowledge systems and is notable for its essential oil components and distinctive flavor profile. We treat Buchu with particular reverence, not only because of its cultural heritage, but also because careful cultivation protects a plant that belongs deeply to this place.

Discover our Buchu teas and allied products:

Wellness That Starts with Place

At Skimmelberg, wellness is not a trend—it is a relationship between plant, soil, water, and community. When you brew a cup of our organic Rooibos or Buchu, you participate in a daily ritual that re-centers you in nature's rhythms. Rooibos offers a gentle alternative for those who prefer a naturally caffeine-free beverage, with a soothing taste that fits into morning, afternoon, or evening routines. Buchu, meanwhile, supplies a crisp, aromatic lift—wonderful on its own, or blended thoughtfully with other botanicals.

There is also a wellness dimension to how our teas are grown. Farming methods that protect biodiversity, build soil vitality, and conserve water do more than keep our fields healthy; they express a philosophy of care that flows into every stage—from seedling to cup. Enjoyment, here, is inseparable from stewardship.

Sustainability You Can Taste: Regenerative Farming on a Living Landscape

Our approach is anchored in regenerative farming—practices that aim to restore and enhance ecological function rather than extract from it. While the exact methods evolve with ongoing learning and observation, the principles remain constant: protect biodiversity, enrich soil organic matter, steward water responsibly, and integrate farming with the surrounding ecosystem.

Why this matters:

  • Biodiversity underpins resilient landscapes. Diverse plant and microbial communities support nutrient cycling, natural pest balance, and ecosystem stability.
  • Building soil organic matter helps soils hold water and nutrients, supporting plant health and reducing erosion. Regenerative approaches are associated with improvements in soil structure and carbon sequestration potential.
  • Responsible wild harvesting and cultivation, guided by good practices, help safeguard native species and their habitats.

At Skimmelberg, stewardship is not separate from quality. Healthy plants grown in thriving ecosystems express fuller, truer flavors. When you taste the layered sweetness of Rooibos or the bright, aromatic lift of Buchu, you are tasting the outcome of holistic choices—from biodiversity corridors to mindful harvest timing.

"Biodiversity is our passion"—it's a promise that every decision in our fields and facilities must align with the long-term flourishing of the Cederberg.

Experience Skimmelberg in Person: Tours and Tea Tastings

There is no substitute for walking the land, inhaling the aromas of fresh fynbos, and tasting tea where it was grown. Our guided tours and tea tastings invite you to slow down, see how we cultivate and craft our teas, and learn how sustainability informs every decision. It's an immersion into the textures, scents, and stories of our farm.

Plan your visit via our Tours page.

Explore the Skimmelberg Range

Whether you're building a daily ritual around a single cup or curating a pantry of wellness essentials, our range honors the same principles across categories. Start with these favorites:

We also craft allied products that extend the wellness ritual beyond the teacup—essential oils, soaps, bath salts, Buchu hydrosol, lip balm, pet care, skincare, healthcare products, and sparkling water—each aligned with our ethos of ethical, sustainable production. Explore our collections to find what resonates with your daily rhythm.

References

1. South African Rooibos Council (SARC). Rooibos and Health: Composition, Caffeine Status, and Antioxidants. Industry information and summaries of published research.

2. SANBI PlantZAfrica. Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos): Botany, distribution, and traditional use. South African National Biodiversity Institute.

3. Joubert, E., de Beer, D., and colleagues. Research on Rooibos polyphenols (including aspalathin), processing, and antioxidant capacity. Various publications in South African Journal of Botany.

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