Are you familiar with hibiscus? This is not only the famous karkade tea. It can be used to make jam, salads, salted and stuffed with cheese. Extremely delicious, useful and charming product.
Hibiscus is one of the most wonderful flowers. It is not only beautiful, but also very tasty and healthy fruit. Yes, Yes. There are varieties of hibiscus that are grown for food purposes. And not only for making the famous karkade tea. It can also be added to salads, rice, meat, baked goods, jam, and even pickled with different fillings. Here he is, seven-colored flower – hibiscus.
Hibiscus (edible). What is it and what is it eaten with? Delicious Israel
We are talking about hibiscus varieties Rozela (Sudanese rose) and this despite the fact that its homeland is India. It belongs to the Malvaceae family and, despite the fact that the flower itself lives only one day, its shrub is very prolific.
Dried fruit-fleshy flower cups. They are dried in a different way (without sugar) and almost retain their natural appearance. Go in any dishes.
By the way, even the leaves of the shrub are suitable for food. They are also called “red sorrel”.
And in Egypt, karkade is considered the national drink.
Useful property
Hibiscus contains 10% vegetable protein, a large amount of dietary fiber and minerals. There are pectin, flavonoids, vitamins E, C and as many as 12 amino acids, including citric acid. Total-350 kcal.
Tea contains a large amount of antioxidants. It normalizes blood pressure, lowers blood sugar and fat levels, improves digestion, reduces edema, kills harmful bacteria, and is generally considered a natural antibiotic and antiseptic.
In the Arab countries, it is considered “the cure for all diseases”.
But, there is also a contraindication. It is very diuretic, so it is not recommended for pregnant women, people with low blood pressure and gastritis. Also, taking hormonal medications and receiving chemotherapy.
From dry hibiscus petals (karkade), you can make wonderful drinks:
- Hot tea (just pour boiling water over the petals and let them stand for a couple of minutes).
- Cold tea (also pour boiling water and let cool).
- Drink with wine (like iced tea, but with red wine added).
- Drink with mint, oranges or dried fruit.
- You can add any herbs and fruits to the cold and hot karkade drink. You can sweeten it with sugar, but better with honey or date syrup.
- Hibiscus flowers (dried fruit) can be used to prepare a wide variety of dishes:
Marinated hibiscus with curd or cheese filling. - Hibiscus marinated with onions
- Hibiscus jam.
Hibiscus in cupcake, casserole, salads, with rice, etc. Like a regular dried fruit that is cut into pieces or added whole.
In Israel, dry karkade is sold in almost all shops with spices. Dried fruit can be found in markets and in good spice shops.
I drink karkade tea “Sudan rose” every night, before going to bed, for three weeks, I have lost three kilograms.