Hibiscus Flower Tea

Hibiscus flower tea was the preferred drink of the Pharaohs of the ancient Nile Valley. It was a highly refreshing beverage which used to help them survive in the desert heat. Today, the hibiscus tea is incorporated in many cultures like Mexico, China, India, the Caribbean, the U.S., and Europe. Although it's a native of the warm and tropical climates of Zihuatanejo, Mexico and Marrakech, Morocco, people all over the world consume the tea as it has several medicinal benefits in special occasions, and for relaxing and cooling purposes.

The herbal tea is made with the calyces (one of the green parts) of the flower, which yields in hot and cold beverages. Many countries have given this tea a specific name in their own cultures like in the Caribbean, it's called red sorrel, in Mexico agua de Jamaica, in Jamaica sorrel, in Latin America flor de Jamaica, the Middle East countries have named it karkady, and West Africa calls it bissap. This was a brief history about this tea. Now let's take a look at the health benefits of hibiscus flower tea and how to prepare the tea for a refreshing experience.

Benefits Availed from the Tea

• The flower is loaded with antioxidants that protect the cells from free radicals.
• The tea helps in lowering high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
• Consuming the tea on a regular basis lowers the chances of heart diseases.
• It contains vitamin C (an antioxidant) and minerals which helps the immune system and also aids during flu-like symptoms.
• The tea is also used as a diuretic to increase the flow of urination.
• Also known for its use as a laxative, the tea helps relieve constipation.
• Last, but not the least, this tea also helps in eliminating bacterial infections in the respiratory tract.

Easy Recipes to Make

As hibiscus tea is inexpensive to make, it is easily available in local grocery stores. Learn how to make the tea which can be ingested by anyone in the family because it's free of caffeine.

Recipe #1

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers
• 48 oz water
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 small orange, sliced
• 1 lemon, wedges
• ⅛ cup sugar or honey
• Ice

Procedure

Boil the water in a pot, turn the heat off, and add the hibiscus flowers and cinnamon sticks. Place a cover on the pot and let it steep for about 15 - 20 minutes (but not too much, or else the tea will taste bitter). With a strainer, filter the warm tea in a glass full of ice. Add the sugar (you can also add honey, if you like) and orange slices. Add the lemon wedges to garnish your drink.

Recipe #2

Ingredients

• 4 hibiscus tea bags
• Lemon juice
• 4 cups water
• 1 tablespoon ginger, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup sugar or honey
• Ice
• Lemon wedges

Boil the water in a pot, turn the heat off, and add honey or sugar till it dissolves. Now steep the tea bags for about 15 minutes. Strain the tea in glasses with ice in them. Let the tea cool down and then mix in fresh lemon juice. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve.

Hibiscus flower tea feels refreshing in hot summer afternoons. If and when you get a chance to visit Merida or Mexico City, you will find tons of stalls lined up in local markets with the dried maroon petals of hibiscus flower. Making hibiscus tea takes about 10 - 15 minutes only, plus you can also infuse the petals in flavored margaritas, granitas, sorbets, and popsicles. Isn't that yummy!