It all started with a wedding

At our 2018 wedding brunch in Vancouver, Vimal and Aalia gave each guest something that they loved as part of their daily ritual — a jar of premium Rooibos.

The response was overwhelming: "Where can we get more?"

That inspired them to found The Red Tea Co. in 2021, guided by Ubuntu - a Nguni Bantu concept from the Zulu and Xhosa people of South Africa, meaning “I am because we are.” It's the belief that we're all connected through our shared humanity. 

Personal connection at every step in the journey

Our passion for Rooibos teas didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of lives that brought our experiences and desires together.

For Vimal, he was born and raised in South Africa, and grew up surrounded by the best quality Rooibos. When he moved to Canada in 2019, he immediately noticed the gap. Rooibos here was mostly available in tea bags that were typically filled with shorter cuts — or even tea dust — and sometimes enhanced with flavorings or blended with fillers. As a proud South African (and now Canadian too), he knew North America deserved better.

Born in Canada with Indian roots, Aalia grew up surrounded by chai and black teas — bold, creamy, and full-bodied. Being caffeine-sensitive, she constantly sought caffeine-free alternatives, but they left her wanting more. Working in Africa led to frequent trips to South Africa where she fell in love with Rooibos (oh yeah, and Vimal too!) since it had the full-bodied richness of black tea without caffeine

Sharing Rooibos with North America

Running The Red Tea Co. has been deeply rewarding. It is a way to continually support a connection and oneness that brings everyone to the table — caffeine-sensitive or not, five or seventy-five. It’s for everyone, at any time.

By combining our experience with global beverages and wellness to weather the challenges of operating a business, we are so excited to be creating the caffeine-free category we always knew could exist.