The culinary world is on a prediction spree on Food trends that will explode in 2022. As I was reading through the foods listed what caught my eye was the news about the brilliant red-hued rosa Sinensis commonly known as the Hibiscus, China rose or the Shoe Flower that is going to ripple the food world. My memory of this ubiquitous flower is more to do with all things other than using it as a food ingredient-decorating the pooja room, using it as a hair pack, an essential component of homemade hail oil and not to forget its use as a quick polish for our black leather shoes before boarding the school bus. Though I have heard my grandmother mention the use of this flower as a thogayal /relish that’s mixed with rice, but it was more a home remedy for menstrual issues.
There are over 200 varieties of this flower in myriad hues in India, but it is the five-petalled brilliant red hibiscus that’s the culinary queen. This common flower that grows wild in our back yards is slowly inching its way onto our dining tables as detox and stress relieving tea, bright-hued rasam, and delicious stir-fry with fresh coconut. Ruby red hibiscus coolers are on the rise and what stunned me was hibiscus chocolate loaded with nuts which I had a chance to savour during a holiday at Ooty.
Here is a recipe that I experimented with …Hibiscus Tea…. Supposed stress buster. I used fresh flowers for the tea which gave the drink a nice bright hue. The tea was definitely refreshing with the tang of lemons and the subtle flavours of added spices. Hibiscus Tea can be had cold, warm, or hot and hence suits all weathers. It can be made with dried flowers too but there is a definite impact on the colour and taste.
Ingredients for Hibiscus Tea Recipe:
- 5 petalled red hibiscus flowers -5
- Grated ginger 1 tbsp
- Cinnamon 1 inch stick or ½ tsp powder
- Cardamom 1 pod powdered
- Honey as required
- Lemon juice 2 tbsp
- Water 3 cups-600ml
Preparation Method for Hibiscus tea:
- Boil water along with the spices. When it comes to a rolling boil, add the petals of the washed flowers. Simmer with the pan covered for 5 minutes.
- Switch off the flame and allow the ingredients to steep for 10 minutes. Strain and use it warm, cold or heat to the required temperature.
- Mix in lemon juice and desired quantity of honey before serving.
Hibiscus Tea in Hot Version is here
Hibiscus Tea in Cold Brew Version is here
