How To make Hibiscus Tea (With Health Benefits and Risks)

1. Hibiscus tea can be served hot or cold and drink it all year long no matter what the weather is outside. But please take in moderation.

From fresh flower petals

1. Separate the petals of the flower. Discard the calyx and pistil of the flower.
2. Rinse it well.
3. For every 4 cups of water, use 8-10 flowers of hibiscus.
4. If you want to strong flavored hibiscus tea, use more flowers than mentioned above.Note: Do not steep hibiscus tea for longer time. It might make the tea taste bitter.
5. Boil water and hibiscus petals in a large pot. Once water begins to boil, remove from heat.
6. At this stage you can add in more flavors to the tea. We added ginger, lemon grass, all spice berries, cinnamon stick, basil leaves to the tea for flavors.
7. Cover tight and let the tea steep for 15 minutes.Pro-Tip: Do not steep tea for longer. It will turn bitter. If you want strong hibiscus flavor add more flower petals instead of steeping longer.
8. Strain the tea and discard the petals and all other ingredients in the tea.
9. This is hibiscus tea concentrate that can be refrigerated and used as you want.
10. If you like to drink it hot, simple warm it up, add lemon juice and honey. Stir and drink up.
11. And if you want to make hibiscus iced tea, refrigerate the concentrate mixed with lemon and honey.
12. Once chilled serve it with a cup of chilled water or ice cubes to dilute. Dilute it as per your preference. You can keep it strong as you like or dilute it with more ice.
13. Serve it garnish with fresh basil leaves, few lemon slices and a lemon grass for stirring. Oh talk about fancy stirring!

From Dried Hibiscus Petals

1. For 4 cups of water, use about ½ cup of dried petals. Pour boiling hot water over the dried petals and let it steep. You can add in more flavors with basil, lemon grass, cinnamon. Follow the same steps mentioned for fresh petals.
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