My Favorite Flower

I love Hibiscus flowers. There are many different species and colors, and I just think they are so bold and vibrant. As a little girl in Hawaii, I used to love looking at them. Since then, I have realized there is more to love about them than just their beauty. Various parts of the plant are edible and are actually quite good for you. These plants grow in tropical areas throughout the world and have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.


calyces (sepals)

There are many culinary uses for hibiscus, and one of the most common is tea brewed from the dried petals (although some sources indicate it is actually the calyces...but I will still call them "petals" in this post). The tea is made from a species of Hibiscus called Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa). The tea has many names, such as Agua de Jamaica, Sorrel, or Karkade. The tea can be served hot, or you can make it into an iced tea. I think both ways are lovely, although I do prefer the cold version. Hibiscus tea has a light, refreshing flavor. It is very tangy, somewhat tart, acidic, and slightly "fruity". It reminds me of cranberry juice in some ways, but still very different and unique. I don't know if it is a taste everyone would enjoy, but I certainly do.


Photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner



Hibiscus tea is very simple to make. You can buy it in tea bags, or you can purchase loose dried petals. (I think you can also get it in powder form, which could have some interesting uses). You make it just as you would any other tea, except that you want to be careful not to over-steep it, as this can leech a bitter flavor. If you like a stronger tea, simply use more petals. Hibiscus is commonly used as an ingredient in commercial teas, especially berry-flavoured ones, since it adds such a pretty and natural red color. If you can't find any hibiscus locally, you can always order a bag of dried petals online. The petals have a wonderful aroma. I wonder if you could cultivate the scent somehow, like into a potpourri or a candle or something?

There are many different ways to serve hibiscus tea. You could sweeten it with honey or sugar, add spices like cinnamon or ginger, or mix it with juice, lemonade or other teas...who knows, maybe even wine or spirits? I prefer to leave mine unsweetened, but sometimes I will mix in some orange pineapple juice. I think it makes a nice refreshing summer drink. I usually only drink water, but hibiscus iced tea can be a nice alternative. It has zero calories and is rich in vitamin c, antioxidants and other wonderful things. I don't know how extensively the health effects have been studied, but many sources list the same basic benefits. It can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, strengthens the immune system, is a natural mild diuretic, helps with bloating, can lower fever, etc...

It tastes good, smells good, has a beautiful color, is natural, and has no additives or caffeine. It is great hot or cold, sweetened or unsweetened, and on its own or mixed with other drinks. Hibiscus tea is a wonderful beverage. :)


(I don't know why the images always fade when I upload them here...They are all much more vibrant)