This beautiful red flower that we drink in Mexico as a cold infusion called “agua de Jamaica” is native to tropical Africa (from Egypt and Sudan to Senegal). Its scientific name is Hibiscus Sabdariffa , there are more than 150 kinds of hibiscus and all belong to the malvaceae family. Currently it is cultivated mainly in China, Thailand and Mexico as well.

Hibiscus are symbols of abundance, well-being and joy in many countries around the world. It is a large flower that is easy to associate with the tropics. Specifically, the Sabdariffa subspecies is pink, although we rarely see it like that.

The flower with the calyxes, which are harvested when they have an almost wine-red color, are dehydrated and this is what gives their beautiful deep red color to the drinks prepared with them.

Many countries around the world drink it, for example in Senegal and Mali the national drink is considered to be a sugary infusion of this flower called Bissap, in Trinidad and Tobago they mix it with beer making the famous Shandy, in El Salvador they make a table wine with it, in Panama they make a soft drink with ginger that is drunk at Christmas, in Argentina they make jams with it and in Mexico in addition to drinking it cold, recently it is eaten in tacos!!

However, in Europe, and specifically in Germany, they added it to small pieces of dried fruit (mainly apple, raisins and rosehip) and marketed it to be drunk hot. This is how the fruit herbal teas, now so famous throughout the world, were born.

What are its properties?

• Helps regulate hypertension: It has been found to slightly lower blood pressure in people with normal or slightly high blood pressure. This is due to its flavonoids.
• Diuretic
• Antioxidant Power: Due to its high content of citric acid and ascorbic acid.
• Mild laxative: also due to its acids
• Helps against cramps: Due to its content of vitamin C, thiamine and riboflavin
• Prevents flu or colds: due to its high vitamin C content
• It helps with menstrual problems: as it relaxes the uterine muscles.

 

EURO TE's classic herbal teas contain this flower to provide, in addition to flavour, its beautiful colour and its benefits. They do not need to be strained, but you decide whether to do so or eat their 100% edible elements (fruits, flowers, herbs and sometimes spices). You can drink them hot or cold, add them to a yogurt or as a topping in a fruit cocktail, prepare frappes, smoothies, chamoyadas or even cocktails with them.

They are also delicious as an ingredient in bakery and cakes, discover everything you can do with them in our recipes section and try the more than 20 flavors we have for you in the following link: Fruit Tisane - Classic

Olivia Medina

Tea Master, EURO TEA