Organic Hibiscus Flowers Loose Herbal Tea

Dried Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers, also called roselle. What’s sold as “hibiscus flowers” is actually the calyx, the fleshy, deep-red cup that wraps the seed pod after the petals fall. It’s what gives the tea its two signatures: a ruby color that comes from natural anthocyanin pigments, and a bright tartness from the plant’s own fruit acids.

It’s one of the most widely brewed botanicals in the world. It’s karkadé in Egypt and Sudan, bissap across West Africa, agua de jamaica in Mexico, and sorrel at Christmas in Jamaica and across the Caribbean. It’s tart, fruity and naturally caffeine-free, and just as good iced as hot.

Flavor

Tart • Fruity • Cranberry-like • Bright • Clean finish

Ingredients

Organic dried hibiscus flowers (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Single-ingredient. No additives or fillers. Naturally caffeine-free.

How to Brew

Use 1–2 teaspoons of dried flowers per 8 oz cup. Pour hot water over the flowers and steep 5 to 10 minutes, then strain.

Steep time controls the tartness. Five minutes gives a softer, fruitier cup, and ten minutes pushes it toward sharp and puckery. The color comes out within the first minute or two, so a deep red cup doesn’t mean it’s done. Taste as you go. Loose flowers can shed small pieces, so a fine mesh infuser or unbleached drawstring filter bags keep the cup clean.

Ways to Use

Hibiscus is at its best cold. Brew it double-strength and pour it over ice, or cold-brew it in the refrigerator overnight for a smoother, less acidic pitcher. Its tartness takes well to sweetening with raw honey. It also pairs with rosehip for a deeper fruit-forward cup, or with spearmint for something cooling. Traditional preparations often add cinnamon, ginger, clove or citrus peel. A squeeze of lemon brightens both the flavor and the color.

Product Details

• Loose herbal tea — dried hibiscus flowers (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
• Single-ingredient, caffeine-free
• Available in 3 oz, 6 oz, and 1 lb pouches
• Organic — carefully sourced from Eastern European botanical growers
• Small-batch packed by Farmer Soul, Las Vegas, Nevada

Storage

Seal tightly and keep in a cool, dark, dry place. Dried hibiscus can draw in moisture and clump in humid conditions, so close the pouch fully after each use. Hibiscus is a strong natural dye, so rinse cups, infusers and countertops promptly.