One thing about my house is on any given day you are going to find a pitcher of tea in the refrigerator. I will put just about any type of tea in the frig. It doesn’t matter the taste or the function.
One of my favorite florals to throw in a tea that is going in the refrigerator is hibiscus.
Hibiscus is a flower that is also known as Roselle. When steeped as tea, it creates a tart, fruity flavor and is often consumed hot or cold. Many people like to drink plain hibiscus tea while others like to add different herbs and fruits to it. It can be sweetened with sugar, agave, or honey. I would caution anyone from using honey in hibiscus teas that are paired with other ingredients because honey has such a distinct flavor. It can easily alter the taste of the tea.
Hibiscus tea is popular in many cultures around the world and is known for its health benefits, including its ability to lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and promote weight loss. Additionally, hibiscus tea is caffeine-free and can easily be consumed by many.
According to various reports and articles, hibiscus can be helpful to the body. A few top reasons people enjoy hibiscus tea is because it…
- May lower blood pressure. Hibiscus tea has been shown to have a positive effect on blood pressure. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that daily consumption of hibiscus tea for six weeks resulted in a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Please do not take this as medical advice and always seek a medical professional’s advice when considering methods to aid in managing blood pressure.
- Rich in antioxidants. Hibiscus tea is loaded with antioxidants that can help protect the body from free radicals, which are known to cause cellular damage. These antioxidants can also help to reduce inflammation in the body.
- Boosts immune system: Hibiscus tea is high in vitamin C, which is essential for immune system health. Drinking hibiscus tea can help to boost the immune system and ward off infections.
I mostly drink hibiscus tea because it tastes amazing. The added health benefits just makes it taste even better. That’s why I like to keep some in the frig often.
There are three blends that have hibiscus in them.
- Rose All Day is a chamomile-based tea with sprinkles of hibiscus in it. I thoroughly enjoy this tea all day any day, but especially when my menstrual cycle is approaching as it helps the muscles relax.
- Lemon Hibiscus is a hibiscus and lemon verbena-based tea. It is also an herbal blend is surprising refreshing chilled. This was the first blend that was sent to my sister friends when I was toying with the idea of launching Mothering Tea.
- Berry Hibiscus is a hibiscus and rooibos-based tea that tastes like a fruit punch. This tea is enjoyed by everyone because who doesn’t like fruit punch.
To make a large pitcher of Berry Hibiscus Punch use the following recipe.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons of Berry Hibiscus Tea
1 gallon of boiling water
¾ to 1 cup of pure cane sugar
¼ fresh pineapple cut into chunks
½ cup of halved strawberries
½ a green apple thinly sliced
¼ cup of fresh blueberries
Directions:
- Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat.
- Add loose leaf tea to the hot water.
- Steep for 7 minutes and remove the tea leaves.
- Pour into a large pitcher. Make sure it can withstand the high temperature or leave it in the pot until room temperature.
- Stir in the sugar to your liking. Remember, you don’t want to make it super sweet, because the fruit will add a bit of sweetness.
- Let sit on the counter until it reaches room temperature.
- Toss in the fresh fruit and place in the refrigerator until chilled.
- Keep it in the refrigerator and continue to sip the tea for about a week. It will probably not last that long though.
If you decide to make Berry Hibiscus Punch, please share a picture with me on Instagram. I would be thrilled to see it!
