A cafe-inspired dessert that makes it easy to enjoy the antioxidant benefits of rooibos tea. This healthy, dairy-free treat is served with coconut cream and can be made vegan-friendly by using kanten or agar instead of gelatin. Its refreshing taste and gentle sweetness make it the perfect light finish to any meal.
About this recipe
Today, we're sharing a delightful, healthy dessert: rooibos tea jelly topped with luscious coconut cream. Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free and packed with antioxidants like polyphenols, making it a wonderful, safe choice for children and expecting mothers. Because this recipe is completely dairy-free, it's perfect for anyone with a dairy allergy or those who simply prefer a lighter treat. When we tried making this ourselves here at geefee, we were thrilled by how beautifully the rich aroma of the coconut paired with the rooibos. It was surprisingly easy to whip up this gorgeous, cafe-style dish right in our own kitchen!Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1-2 rooibos tea bags (or about 3g of loose leaf tea)
- Water 400ml
- Gelatin 5g (powdered) *For vegan options, please see below
- Lakanto (or your preferred sweetener) 2 tsp (approx. 8g)
- 1/2 cup (approx. 120ml) canned coconut milk *Chilled, using the cream portion
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tsp maple syrup (for the coconut cream, adjust sweetness to taste)
- 2–3 drops organic vanilla essence
- Blueberries (for garnish) as needed
- Mint leaves (for garnish) - As needed
Directions
- Add 400ml of water to a pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, add the rooibos tea bag, and simmer on low for about 10 minutes (the key is to really bring out the aroma). Turn off the heat and remove the tea bag.
- Sprinkle the gelatin into 2-3 tablespoons of extra cold water and let it bloom for about 5 minutes.
- Add the bloomed gelatin and Lakanto to the hot rooibos tea, stirring well to ensure they are fully dissolved. Be careful not to let the mixture boil. Allow it to cool down (aiming for a temperature of approximately 40°C or below).
- Pour into dishes, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until set (chilling it thoroughly will result in a much better texture).
- We're going to make coconut cream. First, chill a can of coconut milk in the refrigerator overnight, then use a spoon to scoop out the hardened cream layer that has formed at the top. Place it in a bowl and add lemon juice, maple syrup, and vanilla essence. Whisk the mixture until it's smooth while keeping the bowl over a larger bowl of ice water. (When I made this myself, I found that tasting and checking the consistency as you go makes it much harder to fail!)
- Top the set jelly with coconut cream, garnish with blueberries and mint, and it’s ready to serve. We recommend eating it within 30 minutes of chilling to truly enjoy the fragrance.
Nutrition & Health Highlights
Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free and well-known for being packed with antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids. Turning it into a jelly is a fantastic way to boost your hydration, and we think it makes the perfect, refreshing palate cleanser after a meal. The coconut cream adds beneficial medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) to keep you feeling full and satisfied, though keep in mind that it does bump up the calorie count a bit. To keep the carbs in check, we recommend using a natural sweetener like Lakanto or erythritol. As an added bonus, the gelatin provides a great source of protein, helping to boost your collagen intake for healthy skin and joints. Plus, this treat is completely dairy-free, making it a wonderful option for anyone with a dairy allergy or sensitivity!Tips for Variation
- Vegan-friendly: You can replace the gelatin with 3g of agar-agar powder or 3g of kanten. The trick with agar-agar is to bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes to ensure it dissolves properly.
- Flavor Variations: Using flavored Rooibos (honey, lemon, orange, etc.) makes it even more aromatic. Adding a small amount of grated citrus zest is another great way to give it a refreshing twist.
- Toppings: Adding sliced seasonal fruit, crushed nuts, and dark chocolate shavings will enhance the texture and make it even more satisfying.
- When you want to keep things light: Mixing coconut cream half-and-half with plain yogurt (plant-based options work too!) creates a creamy result while cutting down on calories.