Red Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is an infused drink of fresh or dried red hibiscus flowers. It is also known as Agua De Jamaica, Karkade Tea, Jamaica Tea, or Jamaica Drink.
We use Hibiscus sabdariffa or red hibiscus for making the tea. It is one of the most common flowering plants across India. The red flower of hibiscus is considered ominous in the Hindu religion and often found its mention in the religious scriptures.
The best part of hibiscus is that it has many health and beauty benefits, does not require special care or nurturing, and is readily available in nature. Only the petals of the flower are edible.
Even though we call this herbal drink – tea, it is only an infusion made by steeping flower petals in hot water. We do not add any tea leaves or plants while making this drink.
Here are some reasons why you should LOVE this tea
easy to make vegan and gluten-free can be served iced or hot has tons of health benefits contains no milk or dairy products
Its popularity is due to its beautiful natural crimson colour, subtly sweet berry-like taste, and many health benefits mentioned in the Indian Ayurveda. Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
immunity booster lowers cholesterol high in antioxidants it is good for the skin and hair helps in controlling blood pressure home remedy for hormonal imbalance
follow us on Instagram and Youtube for video recipes.
Hibiscus Flower: I use fresh, red flower petals to make the tea. You can use dried or dehydrated hibiscus flowers, too. Sweetener: You can use honey, maple syrup, or stevia. Lime Juice balances the sweet flavour and makes the drink more delicious. Water Optional Flavouring Agents: Lemongrass, Basil Leaves, Mint Leaves, Cloves, Cinnamon, Rose Syrup, Dried Berries or Rose Petals, Lemon Slices.
How To Brew Hibiscus Tea
Start with picking flowers from the plant. Make sure to choose non-blemished and blooming ones. Wash the flowers gently without damaging them with room-temperature water. Now collect only the petals. Discard the stamen (includes anther and filament), calyx (the green base stem), pistil (thin thread-like tube in the middle of the flower) and pollen. Boil water in a kettle or saucepan. Add the flower petals, and boil for 2 – 3 minutes. Turn off the heat. Let the tea steep for 10 – 15 minutes. Add the sweetener of your choice and mix nicely. Later, strain the tea. Hibiscus tea is now ready to serve.
Serving Suggestion
You can serve warm hibiscus tea or chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours. I like iced hibiscus tea with lime juice, mint, and honey served over ice cubes. It is one of my favourite summer drinks, especially when my backyard garden is embellished with hibiscus blooms. You can make a large batch of hibiscus tea decoction and store it in the refrigerator for 1 – 2 days. However, the medicinal benefits of the tea are reduced over a while. Hence, it is best to consume it fresh.
More Tea Recipes
Mango Iced Tea Lemon Iced Tea Orange Iced Tea
