Delicious recipe ideas with hibiscus flowers

Hibiscus flowers are best known as a component of herbal tea blends used to give them a fruity aroma and deep red color, but also have a very aromatic flavor on their own and numerous healing properties, so it pays to incorporate flowers into the menu more often.

What types of hibiscus are edible?

The flowers of all varieties of hibiscus are edible, both raw and cooked. However, the flowers of most of the ornamental shrubs available are fairly mild in flavor and have no healing properties. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the variety when buying plants.

The most famous type of hibiscus used for consumption is the Jamica flower (hibiscus sabdariffa), used in Egypt to make an infusion called karkadé.

Another important species of hibiscus is the evergreen Chinese pink hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis).

Both species are not winter proof and must be kept indoors during the cold months.

If you don’t have a hibiscus in your garden or balcony you can buy dried whole hibiscus flowers and crushed hibiscus flowers in herbalists or online stores.

Use hibiscus in the kitchen

All parts of the hibiscus plant are edible and can be used in many ways in the kitchen. The best known is the use of chalices, They turn a bright red color when the seeds are ripe. The calyces are aromatic and have a slightly bitter note.

The healing active ingredients of hibiscus They are found in all parts of the plant. Among other things:

Helps combat spring fatigue thanks to its metabolism-stimulating and mood-enhancing effect.Its expectorant properties make hibiscus an ideal companion for colds. It is advisable avoid hibiscus during pregnancy, as it reduces the estrogen level and stimulates blood flow to the uterus.

Hibiscus flowers and leaves they are a tasty addition to salads and vegetable dishes. The leaves can also be prepared as a garnish just like spinach. Fully open flowers give desserts and hearty dishes a fruity note.

The bright red calyxes are also very decorative and can be used as beverage garnish, For example. For this, calyxes in syrup are suitable. The flowers can also be used to make a refreshing and healthy summer drink.

Homemade Hibiscus Syrup Recipe

They can be used both whole and crushed flowers to make an aromatic syrup.

Ingredients (for 500 ml of syrup):

500 ml of water 300 g of sugar 20 g of hibiscus flowers (fresh or dried) 2 allspice 1 slice of lemon

Elaboration:

Slightly crush the peppercorns and cook them together with water, sugar and lemon in a saucepan for five minutes. Turn off the heat, add the hibiscus flowers and let stand covered for several hours or overnight. Remove the lid and bring the infusion bring to a boil again and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. If you prefer a more intense syrup, you can simmer a little longer. Pour the finished syrup with the hot flowers into sterilized jars or bottles with a wide opening and close immediately. When using crushed flowers, strain them first.

When serving, put a flower and a little syrup in a glass and fill it with water. Depending on the desired intensity, one or two tablespoons of syrup are enough for 250 ml of water. Stored in the refrigerator, the syrup can be kept for several weeks.

Refreshing and healthy hibiscus infusion

An infusion made from the red calyx of the hibiscus has a pleasant bitter taste reminiscent of cherry or currant. The infusion is rich in flavonoids, pectins and fruit acids and has antihypertensive and immune-stimulating effects, among other things.

Ingredients (for 1 cup of 250 ml):

250ml of water1 tablespoon of dried flowers

Elaboration:

Pour the 250 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of dried flowers and let it steep for eight minutes. The preparation time should not exceed ten minutes, otherwise the preparation will be bitter. Strain the infusion and sweeten it as you like . You can enjoy it both hot and cold. Drink up to four cups a day to benefit from its health effects.