Hibiscus Tea Recipe

Name: Hibiscus Tea Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon (or 1 dried flower) hibiscus petal; 2 cups of water (use ½ water if making cold tea.); 2-3 tablespoons of honey (or sweetener of choice); ½ cinnamon stick; Mint leaves (to serve); Lemon wedges (to serve); 1 cold water; ½ cup ice cubes

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Enjoy the crimson tanginess of hibiscus tea recipe and reap the benefits of heart health, improved blood pressure, and anti-aging. Make a large batch 3 X and store in the fridge up to 5 days.

a kettle of steeped tea, a cup of hot tea and a glass of chilled iced with dried hibiscus flowers scattered on the white background.

Hibiscus flowers are hyped for a reason: they're great for skin and hair care when applied topically. The tea offers additional health benefits when consumed regularly.

Well, I'm not an expert in sharing grooming tips, but it's true that hibiscus powder is great for homemade beauty treatments.

For hair, it helps it grow, makes it strong, and adds shine. For skin, it gently cleans and brightens, making your face smoother and glowing. It's also full of good stuff that protects your hair and skin when consumed.

Why try this tea?

Unlike other teas, this is a tangy tea with citrus notes. That's why this tea is enjoyed more as a cold drink than as a warm tea. It is very flavorful and refreshing.

Benefits

Hibiscus tea also known as agua de Jamaica offers various health benefits, including boosting immunity, potentially lowering blood pressure, and promoting liver health. It's also rich in antioxidants and may aid in weight loss by boosting metabolism.

Antioxidant Power
Immune Support:The high vitamin C content in hibiscus tea can help boost your immune system.
Blood Pressure Regulation: Hibiscus tea may help lower blood pressure levels, potentially benefiting cardiovascular health and cholesterol.
Weight Loss: Boost metabolic processes and aid in weight loss.
Digestive Health: Hibiscus tea can have mild diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects, which may help with digestion and relieve bloating or constipation.
Read more benefits here at Healthline.

Contradiction: While hibiscus is safe to be used in moderation, it should be avoided during pregnancy as it can cause premature labor. Similarly, if you are taking diabetes or blood pressure medicine, seek medical advice for regular intake and use this tea with caution.

Ingredients

This tangy, vibrant tea mainly requires two ingredients, though you can enhance it with your favorite sweetener like honey, maple syrup or agave nectar. I've used honey.

Water in a jug, dried hibiscus, and honey in a small container.

Dried hibiscus: Hibiscus sabdariffa is commonly known as roselle, hibiscus, Jamaica sorrel, Flor de Jamaica or red sorrel. We will use hibiscus specie to make the tea. I have used Egyptian dried hibiscus flowers to make this tea; you can also use tea bags. Good quality flowers are key to getting that deep red color and flavor.
Honey: A natural sweetener, perfect for balancing the tea's tartness to your liking. You can also use jaggery, maple syrup, or any preferred sugar alternative.
Water: Essential for brewing and ice foe chilling.

Where to buy ?

These are easily available online; try to get Egyptian hibiscus. Egypt, China, Thailand, and Mexico produce the best hibiscus flowers, and luckily, I got mine from Egypt along with chamomile tea.

Also, inferior quality hibiscus can have a slightly off taste and be lighter in color. Additionally, these inferior flowers can be dusty, so a quick wash of the petals can be helpful before making tea.

How to make it?

I love enjoying this vibrant hibiscus tea recipe both ways, so I've included instructions for both hot and cold preparations. Just pick your favorite based on the weather and your mood – it's delightful either way!

To steep the tea

In a teapot or sauce pan, bring water to a rolling boil.
Remove from heat. Then add the dried hibiscus petals (or whole dried flower) and the optional cinnamon stick to steep. Cover the pot.
Let it steep for 5 to 7 minutes for optimal flavor and color. (Avoid over-steeping to prevent bitterness)

For Hot Hibiscus Tea

Strain the tea to remove the hibiscus and cinnamon stick. Stir in honey (or your preferred sweetener) until dissolved, adjusting to your taste. Pour the tea into cups.
Garnish with fresh mint leaves or a lemon wedge, if desired, and enjoy your comforting hot hibiscus tea.

For Iced Hibiscus Tea

Add cold water to the tea. Stir in honey (or preferred sweetener) until dissolved.
Strain the tea to a pitcher to remove hibiscus flowers.
Add ice cubes. Garnish with mint or lemon, if desired. Serve chilled and enjoy.

How to store?

To keep your hibiscus tea fresh and flavorful, proper storage is crucial for both brewed tea and dried flowers.

For brewed tea, simply strain the petals, then transfer the liquid to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it stays fresh for up to 5 days.

As for dried hibiscus flowers, maintain their potency, color, and flavor by storing them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, thus protecting them from light, moisture, and air.

Hot or cold?

When I first had this hot tea, I fell in love with it and thought that was the only right way of having it. Then, on a very hot day, I had it cold and felt I was missing out on the fun.

It totally depends on the weather, your current mood, and your personal choice. Whichever way you prefer to have it, both ways are good!

Expert tips

Avoid over brewing as it can make the tea bitter. Steeping for a maximum of 5 to 7 minutes, is enough.

Don't overdo hibiscus in the tea. It can hurt your throat with too much tanginess; if you like your drink to be more tangy, add lime juice.

While I like to under-sweeten warm tea to avoid calories and keep it healthy, for a flavorful iced tea, I advise using two tablespoons of sugar or honey for each glass.

While we expect floral tea to be aromatic, this tea isn't about aroma. It is about color and taste. So, feel free to add spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and saffron,or other aromatics like rose, mint, lavender, chamomile, and jasmine.

Serve this tea with fresh raspberries.

FAQS

Does hibiscus tea contain caffeine?

No, hibiscus tea is naturally caffeine-free, making it a great option for any time of day, including before bed.

How long should I steep hibiscus tea?

Steeping for 2 to 3 minutes is often sufficient, but for a deeper color and stronger flavor, you can steep for up to 5 to 7 minutes. Avoid over-brewing significantly beyond this, as it can make the tea taste bitter.

How much hibiscus tea should I drink a day?

For most healthy adults, 2 cups of hibiscus tea per day is generally considered safe and beneficial.

Are hibiscus tea bags good?

Yes, hibiscus tea bags are good for convenience and often provide a similar flavor and benefit profile to loose flowers. Check the labels avoid anything that show atrifical flavors or color.

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