A proudly South African tea brand is bringing a fresh twist to the kitchen. Carmién Tea has officially launched its new range of cooking teabags, a concept designed to make flavour-building in home cooking both simple and mess-free.
Founded 27 years ago by Mientjie Mouton, the brand has built a reputation for producing high-quality rooibos products. Now, in collaboration with respected food writer Carmen Niehaus, Carmién is expanding beyond traditional tea drinking into the culinary space.
The partnership is deeply personal. Mouton and Niehaus are twin sisters who share a lifelong passion for both rooibos and cooking. Over the years, Niehaus has frequently incorporated Carmién’s red and green rooibos teas into her recipes, using their natural depth to enhance a wide range of dishes. This long-standing practice has now evolved into a product designed for everyday convenience.
The newly launched cooking teabags are filled with carefully curated blends of herbs and spices, allowing cooks to infuse flavour into dishes in a controlled and effortless way. Much like steeping tea, the bags are added during the cooking process and removed once the desired flavour is achieved, eliminating the need for loose herbs or complicated preparation.
Among the standout offerings is the Pure Rooibos Combo Pack, which includes both red and green rooibos cooking bags. These are designed to create a concentrated tea stock that can replace water or traditional stock in recipes. Red rooibos brings a warm, robust flavour ideal for hearty meals, while green rooibos offers lighter, herbal notes suited to fresher dishes.
Another highlight is the Spicy Rooibos Masala Chai blend. Infused with cardamom, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves, this teabag delivers a mild yet aromatic spice profile. It works particularly well in curries, stews, marinades, and even desserts when steeped in milk or cream.
Niehaus has reportedly used these cooking teabags in her own kitchen for several years, refining the concept before its public release. With the official launch now live online, the product range is set to appeal to both home cooks and aspiring chefs looking for an easy way to elevate everyday meals.
By combining innovation with South Africa’s iconic rooibos heritage, Carmién Tea is positioning itself at the intersection of tradition and modern cooking. offering a new way to think about tea, not just as a beverage, but as an essential kitchen ingredient.
Also read:
Picture: Supplied
