Hibiscus Sabdarifa

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Hibiscus sabdarifa / Hibiscus sabdariffa / is a species of hibiscus that is native to West Africa. It is found in many places around the world, including Ghana, India, Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, Congo, Gambia, Malaysia and others. The plant is known differently in different countries. It is called rosella fruit, hemp Rosella, Siamese jute and others. Hibiscus sabdarifa is world famous for its reddish karkade tea, which is made from it. For this reason, the plant is sometimes called karkade.

Hibiscus sabdarifa is a shrub about 3 meters tall. It is characterized by elongated, pale green leaves, several on a red stalk. The flowers are relatively large, deep red, up to ten centimeters in diameter. Hibiscus sabdarifa is a highly valued plant, as almost every part of it is used for some purpose, whether culinary or medicinal.

Composition of hibiscus sabdarifa

The plant contains many useful substances, which makes it an extremely valuable representative of the fauna. Hibiscus sabdarifa is a source of tartaric acid, citric acid and maleic acid. It also contains amino acids and proteins. Hibiscus sabdarifa also contains glycosides, polysaccharides and flavonoids.

Hibiscus sabdarifa tea

As already mentioned, hibiscus sabdarifa is gaining popularity because of the hot drink that is obtained from the plant - the so-called hyacinth. It has been prepared since antiquity and was much enjoyed by the pharaohs and Egyptian priests. It is called the drink of the gods.

Interestingly, for the preparation of the famous tea are taken cups of flowers hibiscus sabdarifa. Once the flower blooms, the calyx grows significantly, meanwhile acquiring a fleshy appearance. The cups are then picked and processed to make a hot drink.

Reddish tea from hibiscus sabdarifa has a sweet and sour taste. It has a refreshing and toning effect. The drink captivates not only with its taste but also with its delightful floral aroma. The tea can be drunk both hot and cold.

This makes it a favorite drink not only during the cold winter months, but during the summer heat. The interesting thing about the drink, however, is that when taken warm, it raises blood pressure. When it is cooled, it lowers it. Karkade tea is known for its endless health benefits as a component in various beverages such as cocktails and shakes.

Cooking hibiscus sabdarifa

Hibiscus sabdarifa used for various culinary purposes. Fresh leaves of the herb are used in various salads. The seeds of the plant are used as a spice. They are ground and used in stews, soups, risottos and casseroles.

Hibiscus sabdarifa can be used to make drinks other than karkade. For example, the flowers of the plant in Jamaica are used to make a drink in which rum, honey (or sugar) and ginger are added. In Trinidad and Tobago, the aromatic plant is used in the preparation of specific local beers.

In Panama, they mix a drink with the color of hibiscus sabdarifa, in which, in addition to ginger and sugar, they are flavored with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. A special drink with the participation of the exotic plant is prepared during some family holidays in the West Indies and Mexico.

Infusions of the herb are highly revered in Senegal, Mali and the Gambia. Well chilled, they can be used not only to refine cocktails and juices, but also to flavor ice creams and creams. The resulting dessert would have quite useful properties.

The people of China also prepare a drink from the same plant, which is combined with green tea and wine. They also prefer to eat the petals of this type of hibiscus after they have been candied. The plant is also used to make jellies, compotes, sauces. Hibiscus sabdarifa also used for coloring canned pears, pineapples and quinces.

Benefits of hibiscus sabdarifa

The benefits of hibiscus sabdarifa have been known to mankind for many centuries. The plant has a tonic and tonic effect. It acts as a diuretic and helps with kidney problems. According to many studies, this type of hibiscus helps reduce harmful fats and dangerous cholesterol in the body. It also protects against heart attack and stroke.

The plant strengthens blood vessels and has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and liver. It calms the nervous system and is therefore recommended for people who have a more fragile psyche and are often depressed or have unreasonable fear. Because of its sweet and sour taste, tea from hibiscus sabdarifa is also recommended for hangovers. It energizes and quenches thirst.

The herb helps with colds and flu, and also relieves spasms. Its regular intake in the form of tea will certainly improve the condition of your internal organs and will replenish the body with the vitamins and acids it needs to be healthy and toned.

As previously reported, hibiscus sabdarifa tea has the ability to normalize blood pressure. A recent study involving people in their thirties and seventies with high blood pressure found that karkade was able to lower their blood pressure by up to 7.2 percent.