Blooming Tea

Hibiscus flowers, leaves and seeds have been used for centuries as herbal remedies promoting good health. The showy flowers have always been popular in the West Indies, Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean and are even the state flower of Hawaii. Known by different names, such as flor de Jamaica (in Latin America) and roselle (in Africa), hibiscus flowers have a taste similar to cranberries or currants with floral notes.

Hibiscus is high in antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and iron and is reputed to aid digestion, boost liver function and lower inflammation and cholesterol.

Not all hibiscus flowers are edible. Some of the more commonly used are the sabdariffa, Mahoe, Rose of Sharon and Cranberry hibiscus. We recommend researching the variety before attempting to eat them.

HARVEST, DRY AND DRINK!

Making fresh hibiscus tea from your own flowers takes just a few simple steps:

• Harvest the flowers by snipping at the base of each bloom.
• Remove any green stem.
• Remove the stamens—the yellow pointed parts in the center of the flowers that carry the pollen.
• Rinse the flowers to eliminate dust.
• Dry the petals.

MAKE CUSTOM BLENDS

If you are feeling adventurous, create your own tea flavors by sprinkling flowers with citrus zest and adding in fresh rose petals, mint or lavender. Then, dry it all together. You will know when drying is complete when your flowers are dry and crumbly. Once the flowers are dried, store in an airtight container. Keeps for up to two years.

3 EASY DRYING METHODS
 

Sun dry: Spread flowers in a single layer on a tray and place in a dry and sunny area. Time: 3–5 days

Dehydrator: Spread flowers in a single layer on drying racks and place on lowest setting. Time: 6–10 hours

Oven: Place flowers in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and dry at 200°. Time: 1–2 hours

BREW UP YOUR TEA

You will need to use a tea infuser or tea bag to steep the tea. The scarlet / red / fuchsia-colored flowers will give you the most brilliantly colored tea.

LET'S GO CRAZY!

To make your hibiscus teas even more fun, try any of these flavor twists:

• Add fresh ginger, ginger beer or ginger ale.
• Squeeze in a little lime or lemon juice.
• Make it sweet with honey, maple syrup or sugar.
• Add a mint sprig.
• Steep with a cinnamon stick.
• Make it an adult beverage: Add prosecco, rum or even bourbon.