Technology of GEA Westfalia Separator Group helps make Rooibos instant
Rooibos tea leaves are purified, pasteurised and evaporated by Rooibos Limited to produce an easy and convenient Instant Rooibos powder.
A centrifuge supplied by GEA Westfalia Separator Group filters the Rooibos extract twice in the Instant Rooibos line to remove undissolved particles.
The country’s largest industrial manufacturer of rooibos products and market front-runner, Rooibos Limited in Clanwilliam, produces an instant Rooibos powder for bulk distribution and credits the global leader in the field of mechanical separation, GEA Westfalia Separator South Africa, part of GEA Westfalia Separator Group, as an important element in the success of its production line.
“GEA Westfalia Separator Group is well-known in the industry for its quality and reliable separation equipment. We therefore didn’t hesitate to purchase a Westfalia Separator when we kitted out this line some 18 months ago and have had nothing but positive experiences in our dealings with the company,” explains Paul Hayes, Manager of the Extraction Plant, Rooibos Limited.
The Instant Rooibos line sees Rooibos powder being extracted from natural Rooibos tea leaves that are purified, pasteurised and evaporated to produce an easy and convenient powder that can be enjoyed hot or cold, is low in caffeine and tannin and contains no preservatives.
“Central to the extraction process is our centrifuge with a throughput capacity of 4000 l/hour, that filters any particles from the raw extract,” says Annarie Lloyd, Sales Engineer, GEA Westfalia Separator South Africa.
In the first process step, the Rooibos leaves are infused in boiling water, where after the leaves are removed by way of the centrifuge from GEA Westfalia Separator Group. The extract then goes through a second filtering process with the centrifuge to remove any remaining undissolved particles. In the next step, excess water is evaporated and the powder gets spray-dried. During the final step, the powder is heat treated.
Indigenous to South Africa and grown exclusively in a small area around the Cederberg in the Western Cape, Rooibos has become popular worldwide for its many health benefits and is now one of the country’s biggest export products. This versatile tea is also used widely in the cosmetic industry.
Enquiries:
Taryn du Plessis
GEA Westfalia Separator South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Midrand
Tel: (011) 805 6910
Fax: (011) 805 6911
E-mail: taryn.duplessis(at)geagroup.com