Health Boosting Spiced Hibiscus Tea

This spiced hibiscus tea uses a superfood you must include into your daily routine. Hibiscus is packed with antioxidants and vitamin C that supports your immune system, skin and many more. Sip on it warm in the winter or cold in the summer. The tea is seasoned with fragrant West African spices that boost the health benefits of this drink while infusing a warming flavour.

What is hibiscus.

Roselle — hibiscus sabdarifa is a flowering plant indigenous to the African continent. Fun fact: it is part of the okro and baobab family. If you can see the plant, it looks exactly like okro. The leaves and calyx are used for soups (bitɔ/bra in Ghana) and stews, but the most popular use of the calyx is for a variety of spiced teas, which is known across the Afro diaspora by many names such as sorrel/zobo/sobolo/bissap. You can check out my sobolo recipe by clicking here. The calyx is bright red with a sour yet floral flavour.

The Health Benefits of Hibiscus

The hibiscus calyx is known to be an incredible source of antioxidants like anthocyanins (found in red, blue, or purple fruits) as well as vitamin C.

Antioxidants are essential in preventing cellular and DNA damage. Beyond functioning as an antioxidant, vitamin C supports a variety of health systems, including the immune system, skin barrier, collagen production and iron absorption. In addition, hibiscus has been linked to the reduction of blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Long story short, hibiscus is great to add to your diet.

The power of spices

Before the advent of scientific papers, our ancestors already had an inclination of the benefits of our indigenous crops and foods. Ginger is very well known to be great for digestion, which is a system that acutely impacts so many aspects of your life, including your mental health. Indigenous West African spices have less information online but are equally great for you. I included grains of selim to this drink as it was always shared as a remedy for sore throats and ailments.

What you will need (substitutions and sourcing)

• Hibiscus: Dried hibiscus flowers are available at many health food stores and online retailers. For calyx sourced from West Africa, I highly recommend visiting your local African store.
• Ginger: Fresh ginger is best, but dried works well.
• Grains of Selim: This long spice is fragrant and warming. Great for a sore throat. You can find this spice at your local African shop or these online retailers for more options: MyChopChop (US/Canada), Spice Merchant (Canada), and Silk Road Spice Merchant (Canada). Also recommend Etsy.
• Grains of Paradise (optional): These false peppercorns are in the ginger family with a sharp peppery flavour and citrus undertones. You can learn all about it in my grains of paradise orange cookies recipe post. You can find this spice at your local African shop or these online retailers for more options. MyChopChop (US/Canada), Spice Merchant (Canada), Silk Road Spice Merchant (Canada), The Spice House (US), Serious Eats has a few American options. I also highly recommend Etsy.
• Calabash Nutmeg (optional): I included this because I love the flavour. It’s not the same as nutmeg, but it’s equally warming and fragrant. This spice is optional. You can find it at your local African store.
• Cloves (optional): For flavour
• Liquid sweetener. You can use maple syrup, agave, date syrup or honey. Please add a sweetener. The hibiscus and spices are quite tart, some of which are bitter. Drinking the tea without any liquid sweetener will be challenging.

Other refreshing and health boosting drinks to check out

• Sobolo: Authentic Ghanaian spiced hibiscus drink
• Spiced Tamarind Drink: A popular spiced tamarind drink enjoyed in Ghana
• Moringa Lemon Tea
• Baobab Ginger Tea