Hibiscus flowers are a definite favourite in our home -- think Hibiscus flowers as an herbal tea, in a blend or solo -- or as a delicious ICED TEA!! This tart n' sassy tea is packed with flavour and high in vitamin C -- HIBISCUS ((Hibiscus sabdariffa)) is a wonderful herb to know. Excellent all year and super tasty in the summer -- We will also want to remember this special ally in the fall and winter as it's packed with both antiviral and anti-bacterial properties!!

Hibiscus Flowers Highlights:

Anti-bacterial
Antioxidant
Antiviral
Anti-diabetic

Anti-Cholestrol
Anti-hypotensive
Hepato-protective
Nephro-protective

As hibiscus is rich in Vitamin C (1), so excellent for immune system support. It stimulates white blood cells, which are cells that fight disease-causing germs. Vitamin C, as an anti-oxidant works against oxidative stress.It's thought to be Anti-viral due to specific polyphenols + anthocyanins, notably flu-causing viruses. Hibiscus is believed to lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels as well as reduce blood sugar. This is important because high blood sugar can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Hibiscus Flowers Tea ~ hot or cold!

Hibiscus Tea  We can make a delightful tart + tasty ruby tea without any caffeine!! 

Make hot tea.  Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tablespoon dried hibiscus flowers in a mesh tea infuser.
Let steep for 4-5 minutes.
Remove the hibiscus and enjoy the tea with honey and/or lemon juice.

to make a larger batch:

Add 4 cups of water and 1 ½ cups of dried hibiscus flowers to a pot.
Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat, uncover and let sit for another 5 minutes.
Carefully strain the mixture into a glass container and compost the hydrated hibiscus flowers

HIBISCUS FLOWERS COLD TEA REFRESHER

This is a very delicious ruby red tea -- a crowd pleaser!

Ingredients

¼ C hibiscus flowers dried
4 C pure water

Instructions

Place dried hibiscus flowers in a quart-size mason jar or pitcher.
Pour in 4 cups of pure water and stir.
Allow to steep until the tea is bright red, at least 20 minutes.
Let it chill overnight for a deeper colour and flavour.
Strain the mixture into a pitcher + compost the hibiscus.*
Serve this tea in glasses filled with ice.
Some folks like to add a sweetener such as honey, agave, or maple syrup to taste.
Garnish with fresh mint or basil leaves and to really jazz it up.. Add raspberries, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  Note: this is a guideline.. Can use ¼ to ½ cup of dried flowers for this recipe. *
Can add raspberries.. or mint leaves or basil leaves … after straining…
Make it fizzy. Top off a glass of strong iced tea with sparkling water. Add a squeeze of lime juice for a citrusy kick.
Spice it up.
Before you stick the tea in the fridge to chill, add a cinnamon stick to the pitcher or jar or add another favourite herb!

Agua de Jamaica which translates as “hibiscus water” is a typical agua fresca to accompany the mid-day meal in Mexico.
It is sweet, tart, delicious and a very refreshing beverage. I make my own when in Mexico from fresh flowers or will often purchase some from a wonderful
family at the local market. Typically it is made on the 'very sweet' side. This family makes a version that is sweetened with raw honey + I enjoy it as often as possible!
Check out this post for the recipe I learned from a Mexican friend and some more ideas!! SO GOOD! Stay tuned for that link later this week..

If you can't find it locally, click on any of the highlighted "hibiscus flowers" and there's a link to Mountain Rose Herbs.. Here's another link for an online source for hibiscus flowers.

Hibiscus Flowers ! Make this Aromatic Hibiscus Cooler:

Here's an alternative to the traditional 'Agua de Jamaica'. Easy to make and very delicious!

2 quarts water
¼ to 1 C sugar (depending on how sweet you prefer)
1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
1 cinnamon stick (optional)
A few thin slices fresh ginger root (optional)
3-5 Allspice berries (optional)
Lime juice (option

Simple. Add the flowers to the water. Bring to a quick boil. Turn down to simmer and add the sugar. (I use raw hone sometimes, or ¼ C sugar)
Add the optional cinnamon etc and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Strain and reserve the liquid into a glass pitcher or large jar. Refrigerate. Serve. Enjoy-- garnish with citrus.

Rosehips, Hibiscus flowers, orange peel, Oat tops -- this is ONE of my favourite blends for a wonderful herbal tea blend!!

This picture above contains the ingredients for a tea blend which I call Ruby Red (hot or cold). Here's the article with printable recipe for you!

Here's to our health -- lots of vitamin C and other herbal gifts offer us a nutritious drink to warm us all year or to cool us in the hot hazy days of summer -- until next time - -Carol xo

Hibiscus Research : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25038696/

Hibiscus roselle info: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30131149/

Source re oxidative stress: . https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2020.00694/full