Healthy Highlight: Hibiscus

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Tea season is here. The weather is cold and dark and is just going to get colder through this week. The best way to get your insides warm is to brew a cup of tea. My favorite is a green hibiscus tea, so let's see what benefits we are getting with a hibiscus tea beyond just warming the soul.

  • Hibiscus is rich in powerful antioxidants and can reduce oxidative stress.
  • Hibiscus is famous for lowering blood pressure and reducing strain on your heart
  • Hibiscus can promote liver health and keep your liver working efficiently

Recipes:

Hibiscus Coconut Tea (poshlittledesigns.com)

  • 3-4 Hibiscus Tea Bags
  • 4 cups Boiling Water
  • Organic Sugar/Raw Honey to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Dairy Free Coconut Creamer
  • Ice
  1. Pour boiling water over tea bags/tea infuser.
  2. Steep for 4-6 minutes
  3. Stir in organic sugar/honey to taste (I use about a teaspoon per cup)
  4. Chill.
  5. Once tea has completely chilled, fill your glasses with ice. Pour sweetened hibiscus tea over ice, and top with your So Delicious coconut milk creamer.
  6. Stirring will give the tea a purple hue, or you can just enjoy as is.

Hibiscus Muffins (thegandmkitchen.com)

  • 1/2 cup Boiling Water
  • 1/2 cup Dried Hibiscus Flowers
  • 1 tablespoon Honey
  • 1/2 cup Softened Butter
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 teaspoon Vanila Extract
  • 2 cups Flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 1/2 cup Milk
  • Zest and juice from 1 Lemon

For Glaze:

  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar
  • 3 tablespoons Honey 
  • Juice from 1/2 Lemon
  1. Preheat oven to 375
  2. Bring ½ cup water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the honey and dried hibiscus flowers. Let steep 15 minutes. 
  3. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then add the eggs, one at a time, beating until well combined. Add in the vanilla.
  4. Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the lemon juice and zest to the milk. Add the flour and milk mixtures into the butter and sugar mixture alternating between the two. 
  5.  Mix in the soaked hibiscus flowers, leaving any remaining water.
  6. Line a 12 cup standard muffin tin with cupcake liners, and fill with batter. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30-35 minutes.

Hibiscus Flower Tacos (alecooks.com)

  • 1 tablespoon Neutral Tasting Oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped White Onion
  • 2 cups Hibiscus Flowers
  • 1 Jalapeno or Serrano Pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • 12 corn Tortillas
  • 2 Avocados or Guacamole
  1. First, prepare the hibiscus agua fresca as usual by boiling the jamaica flowers in water. Then, strain the hibiscus tea and rinse the flowers, drain them, and pat dry if necessary.
  2.  Add the chopped hibiscus flowers and the jalapeño or serrano pepper when the onion starts to brown.
  3. Leave on the pan until the hibiscus flowers are dry and crunchy on the edges.
  4. To prepare the tacos add a slice of avocado or a tablespoon of guacamole to a corn tortilla and one or two tablespoons of hibiscus.