When I was younger, growing up in South Africa, I spent considerable time on the South Coast in a quaint town called Uvongo. My grandparents, Nana and Grandad, resided there in a cozy two-bedroom, one-bathroom home. My brother and I lived with them during the school holidays, which spanned short stints of 2-4 weeks throughout the year. We absolutely loved it.

Nana was an avid tea drinker, while Grandad preferred coffee. The beige plastic electric kettle in the kitchen corner was always warm, signaling our frequent opportunities to prepare what Nana affectionately termed a “cuppa.” Nana grew up in England, where black tea dominates social interactions. However, she discovered a naturally sweet and caffeine-free herbal tea known as rooibos (roy-boss) after immigrating to South Africa and quickly developed a fondness for it.

Nana's love for tea meant she would fill her flask with hot rooibos tea for long trips. Often, we were barely 15 minutes on the road when she would exclaim, “I am spitting feathers!” indicating her need for a cuppa. This delightful exclamation became a familiar part of our lives, often heard as she sat on the couch, knitting and reading simultaneously, before looking up to declare, “I am spitting feathers.” At that point, either she or one of us would head to the kitchen to boil water for her tea.

This tradition has brewed for years in my heart. I've long aspired to introduce rooibos tea's exquisite taste and color to American tea enthusiasts, sourcing the finest organic rooibos directly from its natural habitat in South Africa. That dream has now come to fruition with the establishment of Spitting Feathers, a tribute to my beloved Nana. I am confident you will enjoy our exceptional teas, beverages, and other products. Our mission is to bring the wonderful aromas, flavors, and health benefits of herbal teas like rooibos into your homes, where lasting memories are created.