📋 How To make Hibiscus Tea (With Health Benefits and Risks)
This ruby red fruity flavored hibiscus tea is one of the most traditional tea that is as beautiful as it is tasty. Easy to make and great addition to afternoon tea party.
15fresh hibiscus flower petalsor ½ cup dried hibiscus petals
2inchFresh gingera few thin slices (adjust quantity on how strong or less you want)
1small lemon grass
1teaspoonall spice berries
1cinnamon stick
½cupbasil leaves
2limejuiced
½cupraw honeyor other sweeteners – stevia, sugar
Ice cubes
For Garnish
Ice cubes
Fresh basil leaves sprigs
Lemon grass stick
Lemon slices
Instructions
Hibiscus tea can be served hot or cold and drink it all year long no matter what the weather is outside. But please take in moderation.
From fresh flower petals
Separate the petals of the flower. Discard the calyx and pistil of the flower.
Rinse it well.
For every 4 cups of water, use 8-10 flowers of hibiscus.
If you want to strong flavored hibiscus tea, use more flowers than mentioned above.Note: Do not steep hibiscus tea for longer time. It might make the tea taste bitter.
Boil water and hibiscus petals in a large pot. Once water begins to boil, remove from heat.
At this stage you can add in more flavors to the tea. We added ginger, lemon grass, all spice berries, cinnamon stick, basil leaves to the tea for flavors.
Cover tight and let the tea steep for 15 minutes.Pro-Tip: Do not steep tea for longer. It will turn bitter. If you want strong hibiscus flavor add more flower petals instead of steeping longer.
Strain the tea and discard the petals and all other ingredients in the tea.
This is hibiscus tea concentrate that can be refrigerated and used as you want.
If you like to drink it hot, simple warm it up, add lemon juice and honey. Stir and drink up.
And if you want to make hibiscus iced tea, refrigerate the concentrate mixed with lemon and honey.
Once chilled serve it with a cup of chilled water or ice cubes to dilute. Dilute it as per your preference. You can keep it strong as you like or dilute it with more ice.
Serve it garnish with fresh basil leaves, few lemon slices and a lemon grass for stirring. Oh talk about fancy stirring!
From Dried Hibiscus Petals
For 4 cups of water, use about ½ cup of dried petals. Pour boiling hot water over the dried petals and let it steep. You can add in more flavors with basil, lemon grass, cinnamon. Follow the same steps mentioned for fresh petals.
There are close to 40 different varieties of hibiscus flower plant that is grown in India. Not all of them are edible. If you are using fresh hibiscus flower to make tea, please note some of the varieties van get you sick.The variety called Roselle, Cranberry Hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella), Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) are some of the edible hibiscus varieties and safe to use.If you live in a country where hibiscus tree is not common thing, you can always purchase dried hibiscus or hibiscus powder from any Mexican market or a good reputed source. Â A lot of varieties are now easily available online.IMPORTANT - READ THIS!
Pregnant women should never drink hibiscus tea or take any hibiscus products as it may induce menstruation.
Drink the tea in moderation – 2 cups a day tops. Not more than that! Too much of hibiscus may be toxic.
Avoid this tea if you are on low blood pressure medication. As hibiscus flower has the property to reduce blood pressure. For all lower blood pressure personnel, hibiscus iced tea can lead to severe risk as it may cause blood pressure to drop.
If consumed in high doses, it may toxin the liver.
Hibiscus is very acidic. People suffering from heart burns should avoid drinking hibiscus tea.
 Nutritional Info - Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.