Did you try hibiscus tea yet?
The best hibiscus tea will knock you down with its amazing red color and rich, a little bit sour taste. It is full of good stuff (antioxidants and vitamins).
The infusion will protect you from diseases like cold and flu and quench your thirst at the same time.
Our grandmothers knew that so they made a delicious red tea when we catch a cold.
They added a teaspoon of sugar or honey for a special pampering and we were half a way to overcome a disease.
You can also check other healthy teas with good quality.
Which hibiscus flower is right for the tea?
There are many kinds of hibiscus plants that grow all around the world. The most notable feature is its stunning red flower which resembles large trumpets.
The flowers can grow from 4 to 18 inches, depending on the variety.
The most common species of the plant is called Hibiscus sabdariffa.
It is used for preparing tea. This type is adorned with dark red flowers that give the beverage a distinctive ruby color.
But you probably didn’t know that there are many other varieties of the plant.
There is hibiscus with flowers in white, yellow, orange, purple, blue and pink shades. In some species, the flower color even spills over from one to another.
Where does it come from?
China and Thailand are the strongest global producers and exporters of hibiscus.
A lot of herb is also produced in Mexico, Egypt, Senegal, Tanzania, Mali, Jamaica, India, and Malaysia.
Most of the plant produced is consumed locally.
According to data, the best hibiscus should come from Sudan, but they produce so little that only a few can enjoy its superior quality.
How does it taste?
It is a popular beverage of many tea drinkers. If it is soaked in boiling water, pink flowers create a ruby red drink that is acidic as lemon and refreshing as cranberry or pomegranate.
Sometimes it can even be a little bitter, so we often sweeten it with sugar to alleviate the bitter and sour taste.
Hibiscus can also be mixed with fruit or citrus juices, fresh ginger, mint, dry spices (cinnamon, cloves), or even alcohol (vodka, rum, beer). Thus, we like to point out, improve, or just make up its unique flavor.
Making hibiscus tea
Tea from the hibiscus flowers is usually drunk as a hot drink but it is equally delicious as an iced drink.
Balance the sour and bitter taste with sugar, honey, or agave syrup. If it is served with lemon, you will accent its citrus flavor.
Let’s prepare a smelling teacup of the herb. Take 1-2 teaspoons of the herb and put it in the cup.
Pour boiling water in the cup. Wait 5-10 minutes and then remove the flowers.
Enrich the taste
You can also enrich its taste. Add pieces of apples or pears, orange or lemon peel, cinnamon or licorice.
The herb gives a markedly red color to the tea and refreshing note. Try to add ingredients above too and create your favorite hibiscus teacup.
The benefits for health and beauty
Its health benefits can’t be overlooked. This red beverage is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C so it is a great drink to prevent diseases. Some hospitals use it as a daily drink for their patients.
Reduce cholesterol and lower the blood pressure
One of the main benefits of tea for health is the high content of antioxidants.
Research scientists from the Medical Faculty in Taiwan found that you can reduce the amount of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. It should adjust blood pressure due to reducing stress.
Prevent cold and reduce menopause symptoms
Hibiscus tea is a natural remedy for colds, coughs, flu, cold, and heat. Treat yourself with a cup of this red drink and you will quickly overcome the inconvenience.
It cools the body and relieves heat cramps in women in menopause so it is recommended for women during this period.
Prevent excessive hair loss
Tea will help you against hair loss. Boil it and pour the hair with a cooling drink. This will prevent excessive hair loss.
Cure acne
Red flowers also benefit the skin. The plant is a natural cure for acne. Put flowers in the warm water.
Wait for a few hours and then chop the flowers into mush. Put some honey into the mush and nourish your problematic skin with it.
Lose weight
It is a natural antioxidant and natural diuretic that helps in relieving stress.
It reduces the amount of bad cholesterol and helps with high pressure. It is even recommended when you want to lose extra pounds. It prevents the accumulation of fatty deposits so drink it daily.
Did you know these hibiscus facts?
Hibiscus has a practical and symbolic value in many cultures around the world.
Its value is greater than its beauty in ornamental gardens or picking flowers for the preparation of refreshing tea. Take a look at how people use it.
Hawaii
It is the state flower of Hawaii. If the Hawaiian girl is wearing a hibiscus flower behind the right ear, this means that she is looking for a groom. If she has the flower behind the left ear, she announces that she is already taken.
Philippines
Philippine children make bubbles from its flowers. They crush flowers into juice and blow sticky liquid through a straw from the hollow papaya stalks to form bubbles.
India
The red hibiscus flower belongs to the Hindu goddess Kali. It often accompanies her by depictions in Indian art and is also part of Hindu ritual worship of the goddess.
Senegal
The green leaves of the plant can be used as herbs or spinach. In Senegal, people use the leaves in traditional dishes from fish and rice, called thieboudienne.
The leaves are the main ingredient of classic curry, chin baung Kyaw.
Side effects
It is proven that regular hibiscus tea drinking lowers blood sugar and blood pressure. This is a good fact in general but some people should be carious.
Diabetics have blood sugar problems so they should be extra careful when drinking it regularly. If you are a diabetic; it can do you good just be careful and measure your blood sugar regularly.
People with high blood pressure should also watch out when consuming it. It shouldn’t cause you troubles but try it and measure your blood pressure every day and you will see what happens.
If you will see changes in your mood and feel worse then you should stop drinking it and consult with a doctor about it.
Drink it through all year
Hibiscus tea is a drink that you can consume throughout the year. Why?
Because it is perfect for preventing diseases in wintertime and is a perfect cooling beverage with a sour taste for hot summers.
With antioxidants and a lot of vitamin C, it will make you healthy and resistant to diseases that affect your immune system.
You can make this tea in the summer too. Adding some fruit in the iced tea will quench your thirst.
If you find this drink too sour you can add some natural sweeteners to it. I suggest that you avoid sugar, especially in the summertime.
Choose and drink the best hibiscus tea and you will kill two birds with one stone – you will be hydrated and protected from most common diseases and viruses. Cheers!
