Recipe – Hibiscus Tea (Agua De Jamaica)

I know this tea from the Mexican with cooking tradition and it is a favorite summertime drink around our home.  The flowers used for Hibiscus tea are easily obtained online or in your local grocery, at least in the Southwest. In the Mexican tradition, it is known as Agua or Water, but it is actually a tea made from the flowers of the Hibiscus plant. While usually drank chilled and/or on ice, it makes a perfectly fine hot beverage, as well.

Hibiscus scarlet colored tea is a flavorful and versatile drink, which can be used in a multitude of ways, including:

• To add flavor and color to a berry or fruit smoothie, or simply, to thin a smoothie a bit.
• Frozen to make Popsicles
• To make colorful ice cubes for your summertime drinks
• Added to Jell-O for more depth of flavor and or color
• Added to beery jellies, jams, and other recipes to more depth of flavor and or color. This is especially true of strawberry recipes.

Also Known as:

• Agua De Jamaica
• Jamaica Water

Hibiscus tea is very simple, though many recipes make it more complicated than it needs to be.  Basically,  you need the hibiscus flower and water.  A sweeter is strictly optional.  Actually,  to provide maximum flexibility, I recommend you don’t sweeten the tea until the time of consumption.   This allows each individual to sweeten the tea according to their personal tastes and/or needs.  Also, It makes a perfectly fine unsweetened drink, which is my favorite way to drink Hibiscus ice tea.   Also, if you skip the sweeter, it not only keeps it very low calorie,  but it is the most flexible way to allow you in incorporate the tea into other recipes, which may have already been sweetened and/ or don’t need the additional sweeten.

Health benefits of drinking Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea, also known as “Agua de Jamaica” in Spanish, is a popular herbal tea made from the dried calyces of the hibiscus plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa). It is enjoyed for its tart, cranberry-like flavor and is consumed both hot and cold. Drinking hibiscus tea can offer several potential health benefits:

1. Rich in Antioxidants: Hibiscus tea is a rich source of antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins and flavonoids. These compounds help protect the body from oxidative stress and free radical damage, which can contribute to chronic diseases and aging.
2. Heart Health: Several studies have suggested that hibiscus tea may help lower blood pressure, reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, and improve overall cardiovascular health. It is thought to have vasodilatory effects, which can lead to lower blood pressure.
3. Hypertension Management: Hibiscus tea has been used traditionally in various cultures to manage hypertension (high blood pressure). Some research suggests that regularly drinking hibiscus tea may help lower blood pressure, which can contribute to heart health.
4. Weight Management: Hibiscus tea is naturally low in calories and can be a good replacement for high-calorie sugary drinks. Its diuretic properties may help reduce water weight and bloating. However, it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet and exercise for effective weight management.
5. Anti-Inflammatory: The anti-inflammatory properties of hibiscus tea may help reduce inflammation in the body, which is associated with various chronic diseases and conditions.
6. Liver Health: Some animal studies suggest that hibiscus extract may have a protective effect on the liver, potentially preventing liver damage and improving liver function.
7. Kidney Health: Hibiscus tea may help prevent the formation of kidney stones by inhibiting the formation of calcium oxalate crystals in the urinary tract.
8. Digestive Health: Hibiscus tea may aid in digestion and promote a healthy gut due to its mild diuretic and laxative properties. It can also relieve constipation and improve overall digestive comfort.
9. Rich in Vitamin C: Hibiscus tea is a good source of vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system, skin, and overall well-being.
10. Potential Cancer Prevention: Some studies suggest that the antioxidants in hibiscus tea may have a role in preventing the growth of cancer cells, though more research is needed in this area.

Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredient	1 Quart Measure	12 Quart Measure	Notes
Hibiscus Flower	½ cup	1 cup
Water	1 quart	2 quarts	I use 2 cups for boiling and the remainder cold
Sugar/Sweetener	6 tablespoons	¾ cup	Strictly optional

Directions

• Rinse the flowers quickly to remove dust and debris
• place flowers in a saucepan with 2 cups of water and
• Bring water with flowers to a boil.
• Reduce to a slow simmer for ten minutes
• Permit to cool
• Strain through a fine wire strainer to remove flowers into a pitcher
• Add cool water and/or ice according to pitcher size
• Server Chilled