Hibiscus Tea is an infused beverage of fresh or dried red hibiscus flowers. It is also known as Jamaica Tea. Here is an easy method to make infused tea at home with fresh hibiscus flowers.
- About Hibiscus Plant
- Red Hibiscus Tea
- Ingredients Required
- How To Brew Hibiscus Tea
- Serving Suggestion
- FAQs Related To Hibiscus Tea
- More Tea Recipes
- Hibiscus Tea Recipe
About Hibiscus Plant
Hibiscus is a flowering plant in Asia, Africa, and the tropical regions. There are wide varieties of this plant with big sizes of white, yellow, pink, red, and orange flowers.
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.
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.
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
Ingredients Required
You need only four ingredients to make this herbal tea at home.
- 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.
The research shows that a wide variety of hibiscus flowers are edible. But I would recommend using Hibiscus Sadbariffa, Rosa Sinensis, or Roselle for making tea.
It is a straightforward process. Use dried hibiscus flowers, and soak them in room temperature water for 24 to 48 hours, depending upon how mild or strong you want them to brew. Later, you can strain the tea, discard dried flowers, and make cold tea by adding the sweetener of your choice.
Jamaica Tea is a herbal decoction known to alter the estrogen hormone in the body. Hence, it is best not to consume it during pregnancy without consulting your doctor.
Excess consumption of hibiscus tea can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, bloating, upset stomach, and gas formation in the stomach. Hence, it should be consumed in moderation.
More Tea Recipes
- Mango Iced Tea
- Lemon Iced Tea
- Orange Iced Tea
Ingredients
- ▢ 8 red hibiscus flowers
- ▢ 500 ml water
- ▢ 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- ▢ 2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, to taste
- ▢ few mint leaves
- ▢ lemon slices
Instructions
- 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. Only petals are edible.
- 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 to the warm tea and mix nicely.
- Later, strain the tea. To make the iced tea, add ice cubes in a serving glass, add lemon juice, wedges, and mint leaves. Pour the hibiscus tea into the serving glass, and stir to combine. Taste, and if required, add more sweetener.
- Hibiscus Iced Tea is ready.
Recipe Notes:
- You can make this tea with dried hibiscus flowers also. Use 1 – 2 tablespoons of dried flowers.
- Do not boil the tea with a flower for too long, as it will taste bitter and awful.
- You can use honey, maple syrup or stevia to sweeten the tea.
Nutrition
We follow a strict NO SPAM Policy
Hibiscus Tea Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 8 red hibiscus flowers
- 500 ml water
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, to taste
- few mint leaves
- lemon slices
Instructions
- 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. Only petals are edible.
- 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 to the warm tea and mix nicely.
- Later, strain the tea. To make the iced tea, add ice cubes in a serving glass, add lemon juice, wedges, and mint leaves. Pour the hibiscus tea into the serving glass, and stir to combine. Taste, and if required, add more sweetener.
- Hibiscus Iced Tea is ready.
Notes
- You can make this tea with dried hibiscus flowers also. Use 1 - 2 tablespoons of dried flowers.
- Do not boil the tea with a flower for too long, as it will taste bitter and awful.
- You can use honey, maple syrup or stevia to sweeten the tea.
Nutrition
Sattu Sharbat is a traditional Indian drink. It is packed with health benefits, protein rich and an excellent summer cooler.
- What is Sattu?
- Health Benefits of Sattu
- Ingredients Required For Sharbat
- How To Make Sattu Drink
- More Indian Drink Recipes
- Sattu Sharbat Recipe
What is Sattu?
In simple terms, it is a cousin of gram flour (besan).
Sattu is a protein-packed flour prepared with roasted brown chickpeas (kala chana). Yes, that’s it! Sattu is an everyday humble flour loaded with all the qualities of a superfood.
It is also known as sattua, sattu ka atta, or sattu flour.
From ages, people in India are using it in the best possible creative manner to prepare a variety of regional dishes. Sattu Sharbat is one such traditional summer drink recipe. It is a popular summer coolant across the Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
Health Benefits of Sattu
Sattu ka atta (flour) is ideal for the nourishment of the human body especially during the hot Indian summer season. It gives you an instant burst of energy and excellent protection against the heat strokes.
- Helps in digestion
- Keeps you hydrated
- Great source of energy
- Control blood sugar level
- Plant based protein source
Culinary Use: From paratha, kachori, baati, ladoo to smoothie you can make anything tasty using the sattu flour. For those who enjoy stuffed parathas, the sattu paratha is an excellent Indian breakfast recipe .
For many hard-working farmers in India, sattu sharbat is a quick, inexpensive energy drink sans any steroids that will get them hydrated and energised throughout the day in the fields.
Ingredients Required For Sharbat
- Sattu Flour is the key ingredient to make this Indian sharbat.
- Mint, Coriander, Green Chilli, Ginger, Cumin to make a green paste to flavour the sattu drink.
- Lemon adds a delicious flavour and Vitamin C.
- Salt and sugar gives a balanced taste to the sattu sharbat.
- Water, and ice cubes.
- Chopped onion is one of the optional ingredients
How To Make Sattu Drink
Blend fresh mint leaves, coriander leaves, green chilli, ginger, cumin seeds, and granulated white sugar to a coarse paste using water.
Now in a jug or a big glass, combine sattu flour, green paste, salt, lemon juice, and water. Whisk to combine nicely. Taste, if required add more seasoning.
Add ice cubes, and chopped coriander for garnishing.
Sattu Sharbat is ready to serve.
I am a big fan and advocate of local Indian drinks. Reason? They are free of any preservative, artificial colour, or carbon-dioxide.
Most of them prepared with the best available seasonal. And the added bonus is a great taste. Once you try the sattu sharbat recipe it will surely become one of your favourite summer coolers.
More Indian Drink Recipes
- Aam Panna
- Mango Lassi
- Badam Milk
- Kiwi Ka Panna
- Jamun Lemondae
- Kesar Pista Thandai
- Masala Chaas – 3 Flavors
Ingredients
- ▢ 4 tablespoon sattu (roasted brown chana flour) sattu flour
- ▢ ¼ Cup fresh mint leaves
- ▢ 4 sprigs fresh coriander leaves
- ▢ 1 green chilli chopped (mildly spicy)
- ▢ 1 teaspoon chopped ginger
- ▢ 2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- ▢ ½ teaspoon granulated white sugar
- ▢ 1 teaspoon black salt/rock salt
- ▢ 4 glasses of chilled water
- ▢ 2 lemon, juiced
- ▢ 5 – 6 ice cubes
Instructions
- Blend fresh mint leaves, coriander leaves, green chilli, ginger, cumin seeds, and granulated white sugar to a coarse paste using 1 – 2 tablespoons of water.
- Now in a jug or a big glass, combine sattu flour, green paste, salt, lemon juice, and water. Whisk to combine nicely. Taste, if required add more seasoning.
- Add ice cubes, and chopped coriander for garnishing.
- Sattu Sharbat is ready to serve.
Recipe Notes:
- Use mildly spicy green chilli and not very hot one.
- Adding sugar is optional. You can replace sugar with jaggery powder also.
- Stir the sattu drink nicely before serving or drinking as the flour settles at the bottom of the jar.
- It is best to make the sattu sharbat in small batches and consumer fresh.
Nutrition
We follow a strict NO SPAM Policy
