How to make Hibiscus Tea + its Benefits
on Feb 21, 2018, Updated May 24, 2023
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Learn how to make hibiscus tea which has some amazing benefits. Make this with either fresh or dried flowers and choose to have it as a hot cup of tea or as hibiscus iced tea because either way it’s delicious and really good for you!
We have a pretty big hibiscus tree in our new garden and everyday we get a few hibiscus flowers. Combined with the hibiscus in our neighbor’s garden there is a LOT of hibiscus. Not complaining because it makes the most delicious hibiscus tea.
I ended up posting how to make hibiscus tea on Instagram stories yesterday and the response was incredible. So many people suggested other ways to use hibiscus which is edible and has a variety of health benefits.
So obviously, I had to write down everything I’ve found out about this superfood and share it with you.
My favorite part of brewing a pot of hibiscus tea at home is the color of course. It has a gorgeous deep pink hue that’s hard to beat. And so perfect right now because afternoons here are getting warmer and a chilled glass of this is super welcome.
We have an amma who comes to help us and she’s the one who got started us on this. She saw us collecting a bowl of the flowers and was so excited to show us what we could do with it. So far we’ve made a fabulous hibiscus hair mask which works as a conditioner and this tea. She prefers it hot with honey and a squirt of lime juice but I’m all about the hibiscus iced tea. I mean who can resist when it looks like this?
What is Hibiscus?
Hibiscus is a flowering plant found in parts of the world with warm and tropical climates. These plants are known for their colourful and large flowers. In fact, there are so many species of Hibiscus, the flowers come in all shapes, sizes and colours.
It grows beautifully in India because of our climate. While most commonly used as a decorative element, these flowers also offer culinary and medicinal uses.
There are far too many species of the Hibiscus plant, the most popular variety however is Hibiscus sabdariffa which is what we use. These come in plenty of colours such as white, yellow, pink, orange, red etc. The pink and red coloured flowers are most commonly used for culinary purposes.
What parts of the hibiscus are edible?
We recommend you only eat the petals. The stamen (includes anther and filament), calyx (the green base attached to the stem), the pistil (includes the stigma, style and ovary) and the pollen are discarded and not used for cooking. Some authors do suggest the pistil can be used as it is edible.
Benefits of including Hibiscus Tea in your Diet
The hibiscus plant is known to have a number of medicinal properties making it a safe and healthy addition to your everyday routine. Like all herbal teas, this quick and easy to make Hibiscus tea also offers a wide range of benefits:
- Lowers blood pressure – reduces risk of heart disease
- Super rich in antioxidants – helps protect your cells and prevents damage from free radicals
- Immunity booster – stimulates T cells and B cells
- Lowers cholesterol – hibiscus tea helps reduce blood fat levels
- Helps with period pains – also decreases hormonal imbalance
- Removes toxins from body – improves liver functions
But it can also have some side effects.
Side Effects of Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus Tea can affect oestrogen levels which means that it has an effect of both pregnancy and fertility. If you are trying to become pregnant or are pregnant, you should probably avoid hibiscus in your diet. It also lowers blood pressure which can be harmful if you already suffer from low blood pressure.
With anything that has medicinal properties, its really important to see if it works for you. Something that I’m slowly learning while we live here in Auroville. We eat a lot of healthy, local ingredients now and people around us are happy to tell us more about them.
Don’t be afraid to try this out because it’s incredibly easy to make and you can make it with both fresh or dried flowers. If you don’t have access to fresh one, dried hibiscus flowers are easily available online.
Love Tea? Try Out These Recipes:
How to make Hibiscus Tea + its Benefits
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fresh Hibiscus Flowers, or 1/2 cup dried Hibiscus Flowers
- 8 cups Water
- 1/4 cup Honey, add more if you like your tea sweeter
- 3 tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice
Instructions
- If using fresh hibiscus flowers, remove the calyx or the green part at the base of the flower to which the stem is attached. You can also remove the pistil which is the thin thread like tube in the middle of the flower which has pollens attached to it or you can choose to keep it. You don't need to do this if you are using dried flowers.
- Bring the hibiscus flowers and water to a boil in a large pot. Once the water starts boiling, switch off the flame and cover the vessel. At this point, you can also add other herbs or add ins such as basil, lemon grass, lemon zest etc. Let the tea steep for 15-20 minutes. Mix in the honey and lime juice till completely combined. Strain the tea.
- You can either serve hibiscus tea warm or you can chill it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Either way it tastes delicious!
Notes
- Add Ins: You can add some of your favorite flavors to this tea. Basil, lemon grass, lemon zest and mint all taste really nice with hibiscus
- Sweetness: We prefer our tea moderately sweet but feel free to add more honey or even replace it with sugar if you like
- Do not steep the petals for too long as this will make it bitter tasting.
- Honey can be substituted with sugar or jaggery.
- Tea can be served hot or cold depending on your preference
Nutrition
Great recipe thanks!
I also found some interesting information on red tea at redteabenefit.com
Thank you James!
Great recipe! I have a question though. Do we use the petals or the calyx or both for the recipe?
Thanks Nyssa! I only use the petals and remove the calyx.
That depends on the hibiscus. Roselle uses the calyx, while if you’re using tropical hibiscus, the petals.
Hibiscus tea should be completely avoided by pregnant women as it may induce premature labour. Otherwise, love the recipe!!
Ofcourse! And thats something I’ve mentioned in the post 🙂
Im 9 weeks pregnant and I asked my doctor about hibiscus tea because it’s my favorite thing and I’m craving it so much right now. She said the chances of it having negative effects on my pregnancy is doubtful. I am Safe to drink it. I thinking I’m just making a weak batch… thoughts? I’m healthy with zero complications
Hey Lindsay – congratulations on your pregnancy! I’d go with whatever your doctor recommends.
Very excited to try this! I also have a question though: do you chop the flower up before steeping? Or leave it whole (minus the bits and bobs you mentioned above)? Or maybe it doesn’t make a difference! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
I just leave it whole Nadia. Because in the end you strain them out so why do the extra effort of chopping them?
Does it matter which color flower you use?
I’ve only come across red hibiscus. Do you have access to another colour?
Hibiscus flowers come in a variety of colors. The plants I have are an orange/yellow color similar to. I’m not sure that the flavor is different since I have only tried these orange flowers.
I didn’t have enough red flowers left for 2 cups so I’m mixing the white in. We shall see.
Maria says
Thank you so much for this hibiscus recipe.
Please I have a question
Please make me to understand is it the leave or the flowers we have to use for the tea
Hey Maria, we use the flower for this recipe.
where can i get hibiscus tea around South Africa?
I’m not sure. If you don’t have access to fresh hibiscus flowers, dried will also work.
Look for roselle or sorrel. It’ll be dried and deep red.
I’ve tried it for the first time cold its delicous and refreshing also I have high blood pressure which is so good for me will share reciepe with my friends that you😇🌼🌸🌸🌸
Thanks Norma!
Wow, hibiscus tea sounds interesting. I am so excited to try this. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe. 🙂
Thank you so much Puja. I hope you like it!
i make this at home too..and its great. its also great with little vodka 😛
Wowsome. The tea looks so refreshing. Will try your this soon.