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 ยฝ cup dried Hibiscus Flowers
- 8 cups Water
- ยผ 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:ย 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.ย
- Tea can be served hot or cold depending on your preferenceย
Dr. Rajiv Bhatkar says
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?
Richa says
You can make it in larger quantities and store it. But I wouldn't recommend storing it for more than a day
Patricia says
Hello, do you use only pink flowers for this tea?
Richa says
Yea only the pink ones
Sanusi Mukhtar Bello says
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
Charles says
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. Itโs a different species than the colorful flower!
Uday says
Nice
Informative
Richa Gupta says
Thanks, Uday! Stay tuned for more fun recipes!
Imran Khan says
nice article I drink every day when I found health benefits of java flower tea
here https://healthbenifits.org/health-benefits-of-hibiscus-tea/
Richa Gupta says
Healthy and tasty too! Thanks, Imran!
Francis says
Thanks for the guidance especially on how to prepare hibiscus with other ingredients
I have been preparing by putting the leaves on a cup with hot water for some time.
In my garden I have the red leaved hibiscus and i use the leaves.
Khanak says
Awesome!!
Richa Gupta says
Thanks Khanak! ๐
Gigi says
The best tea ever!!!
Richa Gupta says
Thanks Gigi!
Vivi says
This is commonly drank in Mexico and is called Agua de Jamaica (ha-my-Cah) but usually just sugar is used !
Richa Gupta says
How nice, Vivi! I didn't know hibiscus tea had Mexican origins too! Thanks for writing in ๐
Elliott says
Hibiscus Tea is great! I just finished it last night and the result was unexpected, my wife and daughter both liked it, which made me happy. Thanks for your recipe
Richa Gupta says
Hi Elliott, glad you enjoyed the hibiscus tea. You may also like 5 Amazing Chai Recipes
Alex Jordan says
This is amazing and delicious recipe of cocktail to make it at home. I really like it. SO easy and quick way to cook, thank you for sharing this wonderful article.
Richa Gupta says
Thanks Alex! We are glad you liked our Hibiscus tea recipe. You might also like 5 Amazing Chai Recipes!
Susan Dubose says
This is an wonderful hibiscus tea and it looks soo deliciousโฆi will make cold hibiscus tea tomorrowโs morning..thanks for sharingโฆ.!
Omar says
Thanks for sharing โบ๏ธ
For my super drink I add limes, lemon, ginger, pineapple, oranges and hibiscus leaves to water bringing to boil and then switch off the gas, straining and removing the leaves (leave the fruit in the water) and drink this for a few days! Awesome ๐
Richa Gupta says
Glad you liked the hibiscus tea, Omar! If you're a tea lover, you might also like 5 Amazing Chai Recipes
Richard Tunner says
I made it yesterday. Very beautiful color and amazing taste. Thank you for sharing!
Anthony Allen says
Thank you for posting this โ I made it today with fresh flowers, and it turned out fantastic. Such a beautiful color too!
Jacks says
A big fan of hibiscus tea!!! Great recipe.