The world of tea is much, much larger than just green tea. Obviously, green tea is very popular for a very good reason: it's delicious and has a wealth of health benefits. But there are many other types of tea to explore, including black tea, oolong tea, and white tea. And then there are all the different kinds of herbal teas, like chamomile or lavender tea. Hibiscus tea is one of my favorites- it's absolutely delicious, and if you're interested in how to make hibiscus tea, you have landed on the right page.
What Is Hibiscus Tea?
Hibiscus tea is made from the dried calyces of the hibiscus flower. The calyx is the fleshy part of the flower that surrounds the seeds. Hibiscus tea is a reddish-purple color, and has a tart, fruity flavor. It's often brewed with sugar or honey to sweeten it up, but you can absolutely have it unsweetened or with just a little bit of lemon in it.
Does Hibiscus Tea Have Health Benefits?
Absolutely (all tea does)!
Some of the most common health benefits of hibiscus tea include the following:
- It's a great detoxifier and helps to cleanse the body of toxins
- It's high in antioxidants, which can help to protect the body from free radicals and oxidative stress
- It can help to lower blood pressure
- It can help to regulate blood sugar levels
- It's anti-inflammatory and can help to reduce pain and swelling
How to Make Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is super easy to make. Here is the best hibiscus tea recipe out there:
Ingredients:
- 1 Hibiscus tea bag or 1 tablespoon loose hibiscus leaves
- Water
- Sugar or honey, to taste (optional)
- Lemon juice, to taste (optional)
Instructions:
- Bring water to a boil.
- Add hibiscus tea bag or loose hibiscus tea leaves.
- Brew for 3-5 minutes.
- Sweeten to taste with sugar or honey, if desired.
- Add lemon juice to taste, if desired.
- Enjoy!
- What other tea combinations can you make with hibiscus tea?
Well, hibiscus tea can go amazingly well with other tart fruits like cranberries, pomegranates, or even blackberries. You could also try pairing it with ginger or mint for a really refreshing flavor. The possibilities are endless!
Here are a few ideas:
- Black tea- combine 1 hibiscus tea bag with 2 black tea bags and brew as directed
- Green tea- combine 1 hibiscus tea bag with 2 green tea bags and brew as directed
- Pu'erh tea- Combine 1 hibiscus tea bag with 1 pu'erh tea bag and brew as directed
- Chamomile tea- Combine 1 hibiscus tea bag with 2 chamomile tea bags and brew as directed
- Lavender tea- Combine 1 hibiscus tea bag with 2 lavender tea bags and brew as directed
The sky's the limit to how you can combine hibiscus tea and make it even more delicious and healthier. Really, let your imagination run wild and experiment with different types of hibiscus tea to discover the "cocktail" you like the most.
Making Hibiscus Tea: FAQs
How to make hibiscus tea from dried flowers?
To make hibiscus tea from dried flowers, you will need to steep the flowers in hot water for 3-5 minutes. You should then sift the flowers so you are left with just the clear liquid (the tea).
How to make hibiscus tea for weight loss?
To make hibiscus tea for weight loss, you can follow the recipe provided, but you can also steep for a longer time (6-8 minutes). This will help to release more of the tea's beneficial properties.
