The Process of Making Hibiscus Tea at Home
Hibiscus flower tea has transcended the popularity of being just a beverage; the drink showcases certain people’s culture, history, and wisdom. Cultures around the world commend hibiscus tea, for not only its beauty and fun sour flavor but also for the countless health benefits it provides. This blog is meant to highlight the art and craft of preparing organic hibiscus flower tea by selecting the right hibiscus flowers and brewing the best cup of tea,’.’.
Making the Best Brew
Hibiscus tea is quite the process in making. Other than the myth of it being easy, lets embark on a journey and explore how you can step by step make a delicious and refreshing cup of tea:
1. Ingredients:
– 1-2 tablespoons of the dried hibiscus petals
– 2 cups of water
– Sweeteners such as honey, sugar or stevia, Adding something sweet is up to you.
– For added taste, add a slice of ginger or a stick of cinnamon
The Origin of Purple Hibiscus Flower Tea
As a result of possessing a sour taste, hibiscus tea is known by many as nauseating tea, it actually has a rich history behind it. It is said to have come from Africa, then made its way to the Middle East, then further on to Asia and the Caribbean where it was considered a key component in traditional medicine for many cultures. The beverage is prepared using, the dried petals of the hibiscus flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa) which is popularly known for its bright red color and its numerous health benefits.
Selecting the Perfect Hibiscus Flowers
A good cup of tea hope starts with careful harvesting, and the cutting and plucking of fresh and organic hibiscus should be the very first step. If you are interested in choosing the correct flowers then look out for the factors given below.
1. Color: The preferred color on the flowers should be bright red, this would mean the flowers are full of taste and are new.
2. Smell: The petals should have a strong, pleasant aroma. Avoid any that smell moldy or musty.
3. Texture: The petals should be dry but not brittle. They should have a slight flexibility when bent.
Drying and packing hibiscus flowers
If dried properly, hibiscus flowers start to produce fresh scents, adding more flavor and color to the drink, therefore it is extremely important to know how to properly dry them before storing. Here’s how:
1. Harvesting: Fetch the flowers when they are fully opened preferably in the morning for greater vibrance.
2. Drying: Place the petals on a neat dry surface in a well-aired space away from the sun. Occasionally make turns for an even dry process.
3. Storing: When dried, put the petals in a sealed container and place it in a dark cool area. Ideally dried and stored petals should last for one year.
2. Directions:
– Start by Boiling the Water: First, get the water heated to boiling point.
– Add the Petals: Get some dried hibiscus petals and place them in a heat proof container or a teapot.
– Steep: For the boiling water in a pot, this boiling should not be less than 5 minutes for the tea petals to be stronger, depending on how strong the tea needs to be, it should be between 5minutes to 10 minutes.
– Strain: Once done steeping, filter the tea into a cup.
– Sweeten: Please ask for sweeteners if required.
– Enjoy: Serve it hot or cold, according to preference.
Advantages of Hibiscus Tea on Your Health
Aside from its wonderful flavor, hibiscus tea is also loaded with nutritious content:
1. Good Source of Antioxidants: It assists in combating free radicles and lowering oxidative stress levels.
2. Reduces Hypertension: Many researches demonstrate consuming it regularly can help decrease high blood pressure.
3. Helps in weight Loss: By helping in burning fat and increasing metabolism, hibiscus tea can help to lose weight.
4. Improves Liver Function: It is beneficial to liver’s offest involvement, as it allows detoxification.
5. Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory: It aids in the reduction of swelling and the treatment of infectious diseases.
Conclusion
The process of producing organic hibiscus flower tea is a great experience and beneficial to one’s health. From the time of picking the flowers up till one gets to drink the tea, each step is an opportunity to appreciate an age-old tradition.