Meet hibiscus – your tropical bestie packed with vitamin C and antioxidants! This flower isn’t just eye candy; it’s a health powerhouse, low in calories but high in benefits. Whether you’re sipping it in teas, spreading it in jams, or marinating with it, hibiscus does it all!
For Pumla Brook-Thomae, a book author and chef from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, hibiscus isn’t just about health benefits. Although health has always been important to her; it’s a story that brings back memories of her sweet childhood days.
She remembers her time in Kariega, where near their school they would often search for those striking, large, bright red flowers to play with.
“We’d tuck one behind our ear to decorate our hairstyles. Finding them wasn’t always easy.”
She adds, “These memories have stayed with me, and I’ve always known that hibiscus is edible, but as a kid, I was hesitant to try it.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Brook-Thomae created a blend including hibiscus, honeybush, sutherlandia, eucalyptus, and African wormwood (umhlonyane).
“I swore by this concoction and would offer it to anyone showing signs of colds and fever in my family.”
Chef Pumla Brook-Thomae
“These days, I enjoy hibiscus not just for its health benefits but also as a refreshing cold beverage, infused in cordials or as iced tea.”
An edible flower with amazing benefits
According to a registered dietitian Kulani Mtileni, founder of Dietitians24 in Polokwane City, Limpopo, hibiscus is commonly available as an extract or, more often, as tea. Hibiscus tea is brewed by steeping parts of the plant in boiling water, he says.
Mtileni highlights that hibiscus has a tart flavour similar to cranberries and can be enjoyed hot or cold.
“Research has uncovered a range of health benefits linked to drinking hibiscus tea, showing that it may lower blood pressure, reduce the growth of bacteria, and even aid weight loss.”
Dietitian Kulani Mtileni
Mtileni explains that hibiscus is packed with antioxidants and suggests it may help lower blood pressure, improve blood fat levels, boost liver health, promote weight loss, contain compounds that may help prevent cancer, and potentially decrease the growth of bacteria.
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Easy to make
Aside from potentially offering several health benefits, hibiscus tea is delicious and easy to prepare at home, explains Mtileni.
He says, “Hibiscus is also available in pre-made tea bags, which you can simply steep in hot water and flavour with lemon or honey to balance the tartness.”
Mtileni cautions that not all hibiscus flowers are edible, but those that can offer a unique burst of flavour and colour to many dishes, including salads, sauces, beverages, and entrées. Some of them may even offer health benefits.
“Although sometimes grown for strictly ornamental purposes, hibiscus is also well-known for its culinary and medicinal applications.”
The edible parts of hibiscus include flowers, calyces, and leaves, commonly used in tea.
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Hibiscus Family Flu Buster by Pumla Brook-Thomae
Ingredients
- 50g dried Hibiscus flowers
- 500g brown sugar
- 2 litres of water
- 2 lemons (juiced)
Instructions
Put the dried hibiscus flowers, sugar and water into a large pan and bring to a gentle boil.
Simmer for 30 minutes then remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Once cooled strain this mixture into a large pitcher.
Add lemon juice and adjust the sugar to your taste.
To serve:
Top with still or sparkling water topped with ice.
For iced tea:
Serve topped with chilled rooibos for a caffeine-free beverage.
Ceylon or earl grey for a more citrusy iced tea.
To serve:
First add ice into glasses, followed by cordial then top with still, sparkling water or chilled tea.
Garnish with a slice of lemon.
Top tip: For a more concentrated cordial with a deep red colour and flavour, add another 10 g hibiscus flowers.
