Chai van Madagascar - losse thee

The Western Cape, stretching from the Cape of Good Hope northwards and eastwards, is South Africa's southernmost province, marked by a diverse 900km coastline along both the Atlantic and Southern Indian Oceans. Its topography is exceptionally varied, featuring semiarid plateaus, rocky escarpments, andspectacular sandy beaches and rocky capes. The climate across this expansive area varies significantly, with coastal zones experiencing a temperate oceanic climate, while inland regions deal with semi-arid to cold desert conditions.

Rooibos tea, renowned worldwide, originates from Cederberg, a mountainous area 300km north of Cape Town. This region, with elevations ranging from 800m to over 1,800m, embraces a hot, semi-arid climate, characterized by intensely hot summers and mild to cool winters, receiving minimal rainfall and predominantly clear skies. The challenging terrain and climate restrict the extent of arable land, limiting agricultural output primarily to Rooibos tea, which thrives under these conditions. In addition to Rooibos, the area produces fruit, tobacco, wine, and proteas. The diverse wildlife includes leopards, caracals, meerkats,mongooses, antelopes, zebras, and a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects, adding to the region’s rich biodiversity and enhancing its ecological value.