Hibiscus is a fruit native to Mexico and the Caribbean, and it tastes tart. The leaves, stems, and roots of hibiscus plants are edible, and the flowers have a slightly tart taste. The petals, which are dried, have a sour–sweet flavor similar to grape or citrus. The plant also produces a milky sap that can be used to thicken soups or whipped into a meringue-like dessert. The milky sap is very popular in cooking and can be used to add richness to savory dishes. The leaves are also edible and look great in a garden.
The most common way to enjoy Hibiscus is to consume it as a drink, and it is often used in cocktails. It can replace grenadine in classic drinks, and the berries are used to flavor tea and wine. It can be found in most international markets and many grocery stores.
What Is Hibiscus?
The Roselle Plant’s blossom is the Hibiscus. The Hibiscus we use to cook with is actually a bunch of sepals (also known as a calyx), the portion of a flowering plant that protects the bud and supports the petal after it blooms. The calyx resembles a pointed bud that holds the seed pod before the plant flowers, but it unfurls as the flowers push through the pod. If you’re curious about Hibiscus, the best way to find out is to try it yourself. Hibiscus is one of the most popular herbs in the world. The flower is both beautiful and valuable.
What Does Hibiscus Taste Like?
Hibiscus has a tangy and floral flavor that can be slightly sour and contains fruity overtones. Hibiscus can be eaten fresh, which is common, but it is more commonly dried or used to produce a refreshing tea or drink. Hibiscus has a light, unobtrusive scent; it is so unobtrusive that you might mistake it for being odorless.
Hibiscus’ flavor profile allows it to pair well with a wide range of alcohol (Alcohol). Hibiscus is slightly sour, but only when over-steeped does it become harsh. It’s frequently sweetened to counteract any harsh, sour, or bitter flavors it may have.
Is Hibiscus Healthy For Us?
1. Antioxidants provide protection
Antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and anthocyanin are abundant in the hibiscus plant. “Antioxidant-rich meals help with many different health concerns,” Czerwony explains.
Antioxidants in your body eliminate dangerous chemicals known as free radicals. Free radicals destroy cells, resulting in diseases like Cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Antioxidant-rich meals may help prevent disease by complementing your body’s natural antioxidant defenses against free radical damage.
2. It is anti-inflammatory
According to Czerwony, hibiscus’ potential to reduce inflammation has been demonstrated in several animal research and a few minor human investigations.
Many diseases, including Cancer, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, are caused by inflammation. While additional research is needed, Hibiscus appears to have anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Helps to lower blood pressure
Nearly half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure, leading to significant health concerns such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and renal disease. Humans have been demonstrated to have decreased blood pressure after consuming hibiscus tea in clinical experiments.
Hibiscus and other herbal medicines, on the other hand, only marginally lower blood pressure, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. They can’t take the place of drugs for people who have high blood pressure.
4. It lowers cholesterol levels
Another health issue that affects millions of individuals is high cholesterol, contributing to catastrophic disorders like heart attack and stroke. While some clinical trials have found that Hibiscus reduces cholesterol levels, others have found that it has no impact.
According to Czerwony, Hibiscus may help maintain good cholesterol levels, but further research is needed to be sure.
5. Helps you lose weight
Several research has shown that hibiscus extract, a more concentrated form than hibiscus tea, has a good influence on weight loss, which could help avoid obesity. However, these studies employed hibiscus extract, a more concentrated form than hibiscus tea. We don’t know if hibiscus tea has the same effect, according to Czerwony.
6. It has antibacterial properties
In lab tests, hibiscus extract inhibited the growth of some germs. While it’s evident that Hibiscus has antibacterial characteristics, scientists are still researching how effective it is in humans.
7. Promotes the health of the liver
According to various studies, the Hibiscus helps to maintain the liver healthy. Because of its potent antioxidant activity, the extract protects the liver from a range of poisons. It’s even shown to have anti-cancer properties in lab experiments on liver cells.
8. Preventing Cancer
In addition to anthocyanins, hibiscus tea contains polyphenols, an antioxidant that has been found to have anti-cancer properties. Test-tube investigations are used in a lot of current research. In one study, hibiscus extract was found to inhibit cell development and lessen the invasiveness of Oral Cancer. In other test-tube trials, hibiscus tea has been shown to help prevent the spread of prostate and stomach cancer cells.
Warnings & Special Precautions
- Pregnancy: Hibiscus sabdariffa may be harmful to a pregnant woman. It has the potential to promote a menstrual cycle or have effects that could lead to the termination of a pregnancy. To be on the safe side, avoid using it.
- Breast-feeding: Hibiscus sabdariffa may harm a nursing mother and negatively affect the baby. To be on the safe side, avoid using it.
- Children: Adolescents 12-18 years of age may be safe when given 2 grams of Hibiscus sabdariffa three times daily for up to four weeks. There is insufficient credible evidence to determine whether it is safe for children under 12.
- During and after surgery, Hibiscus sabdariffa may influence blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control difficult. Stop taking Hibiscus sabdariffa at least two weeks before your surgery date.
- Interactions Between Medications: Certain drugs may interact with hibiscus tea, and it has the potential to reduce the efficacy of the malaria medication chloroquine. If you take high blood pressure or diabetes drugs, your blood pressure might drop dramatically. Phytoestrogens (or plant estrogens) found in the plant may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills.
How Can We Use Hibiscus?
Hibiscus tea is a popular beverage made from berries. It is tangy, with fruity notes, and is used to enhance gin and tonic drinks. In Central America, hibiscus flowers are combined with other ingredients to make purple lemonade. The berries have a distinct flavor reminiscent of apple, grape, and pomegranate.
The flower’s taste can be enhanced by adding lemon juice. The resulting drink will be refreshing and healthy. Hibiscus can also be used in cooking and baking.
In the kitchen, Hibiscus can be used for various recipes. The dried flowers are delicious in salads, smoothies, and other dishes. The flavor of hibiscus tea is tart, and a cup of tea made with Hibiscus is a great way to enjoy the flavor of Hibiscus. You can add a little hibiscus to a cocktail to bring out the subtle tanginess.
Its leaves are great for cooking and can be used as a garnish in desserts. You can use it in beverages and foods based on its fruit’s unique taste. If you want to drink tea with a tangy flavor, it’s best to add some honey or pomegranate.
Hibiscus is a popular herbal tea, but the authentic flavor of the herb is very complex. Its natural sweetness and tartness make it a popular drink, and it’s not a bad idea to try it if you’re sick of caffeine. In addition to tea, you can also consume hibiscus flowers in a cup of coffee.
How Can We Store Hibiscus?
- Make a 1-inch layer of silica crystals in a plastic container. Use a 4 to 5-inch deep container slightly wider than the blossom.
- Trim the hibiscus stem to a 1/2-inch length. Pick flowers in full bloom and have no broken or discolored petals.
- Place the flower face-up on top of the silica layer. The crystals will support the petals if they delicately press the flower into the silica.
- Silica crystals should be sprinkled on top of the bloom. Using a 1-inch deep coating of silica, fully cover the blossom.
- Cover the container with the lid and secure it. Because changing the container during drying can result in a cracked or wrinkled flower, keep it in a place where it won’t be disturbed for several weeks.
- Dry the Hibiscus for three weeks in the silica. Remove the container’s cover and pour off the crystals from the flower’s top. Carefully remove the bloom from the container and wipe away any leftover silica.
You can freeze a jar of the flower to use later.
Conclusion
Hibiscus is an exotic plant that grows in tropical regions. The flowers are large and colorful, and once dried, they release a tart, red flavor. Hibiscus has a unique taste, unlike chamomile, which is a popular herbal tea. The flavor of Hibiscus can be described as spicy-sweet. Moreover, the Hibiscus is a powerful antioxidant and can lower blood pressure.
Hibiscus is an herbal heavyweight. When dried, it has a pronounced tart flavor and a deep red color, similar to chamomile. In addition to being a delicious tea, Hibiscus is also an excellent herbal supplement. It can help lower blood pressure, linked to an increased risk of heart disease. The fruit is known to relieve stress, and it can reduce high blood pressure.