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
Hi! I am an Indian too. I just moved to Patna from bombay and i have a lovely garden here. It has a hibiscus tree also, so i decided to make hibiscus tea. I was just boiling the water and petals when it turned black. I got very scared but it i steeping right now as i decided to see how it would play out.
Did the petals turn black or the entire tea?
My neighbour gave me dried hibiscus flowers, I read the health benefits and was very impresses re. Blood pressure and cholesterol, I made a container full tonight it’s now cooling. How many ounces a day do you suggest for the health benefits.
Thank you.
I live in B.C. Canada.
I have a plant that grows four feet tall. Can I use this flower also? I live in Michigan.
This was a really good article, im impressed of the side effects part about how it can effect pregnancy and fertility/lower blood pressure. I want to start making my own! Great job!
Hibiscus tea looks so refreshing and flavourful.. hot or cold it is always comforting!!
Thanks so much Richard
Very good article! Something I was searching for long.
I am fortunate enough to have many hibiscus plants around my home in the countryside in rural Raigad district of Maharashtra. I have slight problem of increased BP and so I have decided to use hibiscus tea regularly. I have some questions though: Do I need to make the tea freshly every time or can I make it in large quantities and store it? Does storage reduce its efficacy?
You can make it in larger quantities and store it. But I wouldn’t recommend storing it for more than a day
Hello, do you use only pink flowers for this tea?
Yea only the pink ones
I use it 3 times daily and i have it plant in my house and farm. But one think i will like to ask is there any side effects
Hibiscus flowers are not the part you use for this tea! Hibiscus roselles are what the dried flower is that you find at the store. It’s a different species than the colorful flower!
Thank you for this great information. I purchased a 16 ounce bag from Amazon to use it in my hair for my hair growth journey; may hair texture is kinky dry, low porosity texture. Are you aware of how it can be used in hair? Thank you again
Hey Lannette, Sorry, I’m not sure about this.
Nice
Informative
Thanks, Uday! Stay tuned for more fun recipes!