Seattle's Best debuts Vanilla Red Tea LatteSeattle's Best debuts Vanilla Red Tea Latte

SEATTLE Seattle’s Best Coffee has launched a rooibos-based beverage just as its parent company, Starbucks, announced its first use of the African tea-like drink.

Seattle’s Best’s drink, the Vanilla Red Tea Latte, is made from brewed rooibos concentrate, milk and vanilla syrup. Consumers have the option of using low-fat milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup. It was launched Dec. 31 at an average price of $3.10 for a 12-ounce size.

Also called “red bush” or “red tea,” rooibos is caffeine-free and credited with being high in antioxidants.

Seattle’s Best Coffee has more than 550 units nationwide. It is part of Starbucks Corp., whose namesake coffeehouse chain recently launched aline of tea-based drinks, including a Vanilla Rooibos Latte.