Roses are red, but so is the soothing hibiscus flower tea! Find out more about this herbal tea including its origin, taste, and health benefits. Most importantly, get to experience it yourself by learning to make one.

There are plenty of herbal teas out there, but Hibiscus tea is probably one of my favorites. There's just something about a tea that is striking with its visuals alone. Red is such a stimulating color and hibiscus tea has exactly that. Even if you haven't tried it yet, you will be intrigued by it because of its color. 

But of course, Hibiscus tea is more than just its visuals. It's a caffeine-free beverage that's known for its many health benefits. Plus, it makes a good iced tea! 

In this blog post, I'll be sharing with you a simple recipe on how to perfectly prepare Hibiscus tea. 

What is Hibiscus Tea? 

The Hibiscus flower tea is a type of herbal tea made from dried hibiscus flowers which are commonly grown in tropical regions. The Hibiscus flowers are naturally red, which would explain the redness of its brewed tea form. 

It's also delightful to blend Hibiscus tea with other types of tea such as chamomile, mint, and lemon. It makes a great base to produce more flavorful teas that you can enjoy. 

What are the health benefits Hibiscus Tea can give? 

Hibiscus tea is more than just a refreshing red herbal tea. It's actually a healthy and nutritious beverage that will provide benefits for your physical and mental health.

Here are the following health benefits Hibiscus Tea provides: 

• Detoxifies the body
• Boosts immune system
• Lowers blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
• Promotes smooth digestion
• Improves bladder function
• Helps with menstrual pain/cramps
• Reduces depression and mood swings
• Contains natural electrolytes to quench thirst 

Hibiscus Tea Recipe: How to prepare this soothing herbal tea 

Here are the best ways to prepare the Hibiscus flower tea:

1. Hot Hibiscus Flower Tea 

Drinking hot Hibiscus Flower Tea is great during the mornings, especially if you're looking forward to a relaxing day. Its warm, soothing notes will delightfully envelop your tastebuds. And since it has no caffeine, you can also enjoy drinking it before bedtime without worrying about sleep disturbances. 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoon dried Hibiscus flowers (in this recipe, we will be using dried whole Hibiscus flowers instead of small offcuts) 
• 1 cup filtered water 

Equipment:

• Kettle 
• Teapot (preferably with its own tea infuser/strainer)

Directions: 

1. Boil the water for 100°C. Heat more water than needed to warm the teapot. 
2. Pour the excess hot water into the teapot and swirl it around. Throw away the water. 
3. Add the hibiscus tea leaves into the teapot and pour in the remaining hot water. 
4. Cover teapot and steep for 5 mins. 
5. Strain the tea and serve. 

2. Hibiscus Iced Tea 

Here's a more refreshing take on the Hibiscus tea. With this recipe, you'll create a beverage that will certainly quench your thirst. It's an ideal drink to beat the heat! 

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 teaspoon dried Hibiscus flowers (in this recipe, we will be using dried whole Hibiscus flowers instead of small offcuts) 
• 1 cup filtered water (cool/room temperature) 
• 1 cup ice (optional)

You will also be needing: Glass pitcher 

Directions:

• Add the dried Hibiscus flowers and water to the glass pitcher.
• Cover and store in the fridge to cold brew. Chill it for as long as you like (can be up to 4 days). 
• Strain the Hibiscus flowers and pour the tea into a cup. 

Tips:

• Normally, Hibiscus Iced Tea doesn't need any sugar. But if you prefer a sweeter taste, you can add a bit of honey. This is a type of sweetener that's easier to mix with the drink. 
• You can also add a tinge of lemonade or lemon juice to enhance the flavor of the iced tea. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can pregnant women drink Hibiscus Tea?

Drinking Hibiscus tea during pregnancy is not advised. Based on a 2008 study, consuming Hibiscus may affect a mother's offspring by delaying puberty and causing malnutrition. Another study conducted on pregnant rats showcased nearly the same results. However, further medical research is needed to prove this so it would be best to consult your obstetrician first. 

2. What teas can be blended with Hibiscus Tea? 

As previously mentioned above, some of the best teas to mix with Hibiscus are mint tea, lemon tea, and chamomile tea. Hibiscus tea serves as a good base tea to produce more exquisite flavors.