Johannesburg – Starting its journey in South Africa’s rugged mountains of the Cederberg, Rooibos has become one of the most popular teas across the globe, exported to more than 50 countries, with millions of consumers enjoying its distinctive flavour and health properties.
Now, in October 2026, the distinctly South African plant is preparing to take another giant leap… into space!
This first-of-its-kind initiative, led by the South African Rooibos Council (SARC), in collaboration with MaxIQ Space – with endorsement and support from the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), positions South Africa firmly within the global space science and innovation landscape.
For Joekels, a member of the SARC and home to the iconic Laager Rooibos brand, the initiative provides an opportunity to celebrate just how far this uniquely South African product has come.
“Rooibos has always been rooted in South African soil, but this initiative shows that its story is still reaching new heights,” said Candice Sessions, Marketing Manager at Joekels.
“For Joekels, it is a proud moment to celebrate the people, places and possibilities behind one of South Africa’s most loved natural products.”
So why send Rooibos seeds to the International Space Station?
Ultimately, their journey to space is just the beginning.
At its core, this initiative is about understanding how a plant, adapted to South African soil, responds when it is placed in the extreme conditions of space – and what that can teach us about resilience, growth and adaptation.
Two batches of Rooibos seeds – scarified seeds and scarified and treated seeds – will travel aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station (ISS), where they will orbit the Earth before returning home; a journey that will take roughly 6 weeks.
Once back in South Africa, the seeds will be planted alongside Earth-based control samples to compare how the space-exposed seeds perform.
For Joekels Co-Founder and South African Rooibos Council Board Member, Joe Swart, the significance extends beyond the novelty of sending a South African plant into orbit.
“Years or even months ago, the idea of sending Rooibos into space may have seemed like a pipe dream, but we are on the brink of celebrating this very milestone,” said Joe.
“It’s a meaningful moment where a local agricultural product can contribute to, and stand alongside, international space research through a South African-led effort.
“From its humble beginnings as an indigenous South African remedy and tisane grown only in the rugged Cederberg, Rooibos has become a worldwide sensation over the years.
“But while its popularity has grown far from home, Rooibos has never left our globe – until now.”
A South African plant with a global scientific story
The scientific purpose of this experiment is to determine whether exposure to space conditions influences germination, growth, resilience and yield.
Once the seeds return to Earth, pupils from seven schools in the Cederberg region will plant and monitor them on local Rooibos farms.
A parallel experiment at Parklands College will provide additional comparative data.
They will follow the plants through their development, tracking germination, seedling establishment, root development, early shrub formation and other growth indicators, comparing space-exposed plants with Earth-based controls.
The project will get pupils to engage directly with real scientific data while learning about plant biology, sustainable agriculture, experimental design and the potential applications of space science.
The significance of this project extends far beyond the classroom walls.
The future of farming, and even the future of food in space, depends on understanding how plants respond beyond our planet.
Globally, space agencies are investing in plant research to support future missions – developing ways to grow food, generate oxygen, and sustain life in space.
This initiative allows South Africa to be part of that conversation.
“For Joekels and Laager Rooibos, this is particularly meaningful because it connects three things that are central to Rooibos’ story: our land, our children, and our future,” said Sessions.
“We aren’t just sending Rooibos seeds to space.
“We are launching the idea that even a small seed, when placed in the right conditions, can take us further than we ever imagined – that a plant rooted in South African soil can contribute to global science; a classroom can connect directly to space; and a learner in South Africa can become a scientist of the future.”
Delicious ways to take your Laager Rooibos out of this world
“While scientists explore Rooibos in space, we’re inviting South Africans to explore new ways of enjoying Laager Rooibos at home with space-inspired recipes,” said Sessions.
“It’s a fun way to celebrate a serious scientific milestone while remembering that this incredible story begins with a tiny seed growing in South African soil.”
Homemade Stardust Laager Rooibos Muesli (Makes: ±5 cups)
Ingredients:
3 cups rolled oats
½ cup nuts, roughly chopped
¼ cup seeds (pumpkin, sunflower or sesame)
1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt
½ cup strong Laager Rooibos tea, cooled
½ cup honey
¼ cup coconut oil, melted – you can also use canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup dried fruit, optional
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 160°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Brew the Laager Rooibos: Place the tea bag in ½ cup boiling water and steep for 7–10 minutes.
3. Combine the oats, nuts, seeds and cinnamon in a large bowl.
4. Whisk together the cooled rooibos tea, honey, melted coconut oil, and vanilla.
5. Pour the rooibos mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
6. Spread the mixture evenly over the tray and gently press it down.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until golden and crisp.
8. Allow to cool completely on the tray; it will become crunchier as it cools.
9. Stir through the dried fruit, if using, and store in an airtight container.
Serving idea: Serve with yoghurt or milk, fresh berries and a drizzle of honey.
Laager Rooibos Milky Way Milk Tart Ice Latte (serves 2)
Ingredients:
2 Laager Rooibos tea bags
1 cup boiling water
1½ cups cold milk of your choice
2 tbsp condensed milk
½ tsp vanilla essence
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Ice
Cinnamon, to serve
Method:
1. Brew the Laager Rooibos: Place the tea bags in 1 cup of boiling water and steep for 7–10 minutes to get a nice strong tea. Remove the tea bags and allow the Laager Rooibos to cool completely.
2. Make the milk tart: Whisk together the cold milk, condensed milk, vanilla essence, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth.
3. Build the lattes: Fill two glasses generously with ice. Pour the milk mixture over the ice, then pour the cooled Laager Rooibos into the glass. Top with foam milk and a sprinkling of cinnamon.
Supernova Laager Rooibos Crunch
Ingredients:
200 g castor sugar
50 g honey or golden syrup
75 g liquid glucose, warmed
2 Laager Rooibos tea bags
2 tbsp boiling water
1½ tsp bicarbonate of soda, sifted
200 g milk chocolate, melted
Method:
1. Line an 8 × 8-inch tin or baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
2. Place the Laager Rooibos tea bags in a small cup and pour 2 tablespoons of boiling water over them. Steep for several minutes to make a strong, concentrated infusion.
3. Remove the tea bags.
4. Place the castor sugar, honey or golden syrup, warmed liquid glucose and Laager Rooibos infusion into a large, deep saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
5. Once the mixture begins to boil, stop stirring. Continue cooking until it reaches 156°C (300°F) on a candy thermometer.
6. Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Quickly whisk in the sifted bicarbonate of soda. The mixture will foam and expand dramatically, so take care and keep your hands and face away from the steam.
7. Immediately pour the foaming mixture into the prepared tin. Do not stir, press down or spread it. Leave it at room temperature for 40–60 minutes, or until completely cool and firm.
8. Once set, gently crack the honeycomb into bite-sized chunks.
9. Dip each piece into the melted milk chocolate, allowing the excess chocolate to drip off. Place on clean baking paper and leave until the chocolate has set.
Laager Rooibos Rocket Iced Tea (4 glasses)
Ingredients:
4 Laager Rooibos tea bags
1 litre boiling water
4 tbsp honey or sugar, to taste
Juice of 3 lemons
Strawberries and a freshly sliced lemon
Fresh mint leaves
Plenty of ice
Sparkling water
Method:
1. Steep the Laager Rooibos in 1 litre of boiling water for 5–7 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bags and stir in the honey/sugar while the tea is hot.
3. Let it cool, then stir in the lemon juice.
4. Fill glasses generously with ice.
5. Pour over the rooibos, add strawberry slices and mint, and stir.
6. For a Rocket-style fizzy finish, top each glass with sparkling water.
Rooibos in Space Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Rooibos in Space project?
Rooibos in Space is a collaborative STEM education and scientific research initiative between the South African Rooibos Council and MaxIQ Space, with endorsement and support from SANSA.
Rooibos seeds are scheduled to travel to the International Space Station in October 2026, where they will be exposed to microgravity and space radiation before returning to Earth for comparative planting and analysis.
2. Why is Rooibos being sent into space?
The experiment aims to investigate whether exposure to space conditions affects Rooibos seed germination, growth, resilience, and yield.
The space-exposed seeds will be compared with Earth-based control samples, giving learners and researchers an opportunity to study how an indigenous South African plant responds to an extreme environment.
3. How is Laager Rooibos involved in the Rooibos in Space project?
Laager Rooibos is a Joekels brand, and Joekels is a member of the South African Rooibos Council.
The company is celebrating and supporting awareness of the initiative as an important milestone for South African Rooibos, agriculture, STEM education and innovation.
Keep Updated on Laager Rooibos Tips and Recipes
Visit www.joekels.co.za, Follow @LaagerRooibosTea on Facebook and Instagram
Laager Rooibos can be purchased from all major supermarkets, as well as online at www.joekels.co.za.
