Hibiscus syrup, made from dried flowers and sugar, is a popular ingredient in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Egypt. It can be used in a variety of dishes and drinks, including as a topping for ice cream, in cocktails, and as a glaze for roasted meats. Hibiscus syrup also offers health benefits, including lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. The plant has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.
Hibiscus syrup is a blend of steep, dried flowers of the Hibiscus sabdariffa L. mixed with sugar to reduce the roughness of the flower. It could be used as a topping for ice cream, on top of pancakes, or as a glaze for roasted meats. Hibiscus syrup may not be readily available in all regions, but it can be made at home from dried hibiscus flowers purchased at tea shops, spice shops or health food stores.
The product is common in Mexico, the Caribbean and Egypt, where it can be purchased in regular grocery stores. Called flor de Jamaica in Mexico, hibiscus syrup is diluted with water to create a refreshing, cold drink on hot days. Hibiscus syrup tea is so popular in parts of Mexico that it can be ordered at fast-food restaurants as an alternative to sodas. Dried hibiscus flowers are also available in shops and fresh markets.
Some cooks add hibiscus syrup to jello dishes or puddings. A spicy jelly can be made from syrup, which contains natural pectin and tastes similar to cranberries. Hibiscus syrup could be added to a cocktail punch to give it a deep red color. In Jamaica, a traditional Christmas drink is hibiscus tea and ginger.
Hibiscus syrup offers health benefits and contains a wide range of amino acids. One study found that hibiscus extract could lower the level of harmful cholesterol in the blood and prevent fatty deposits from clogging arteries. It has lowered triglyceride levels in animal studies and has shown antioxidant properties. This syrup is rich in calcium, iron, carotene, phosphorus and niacin.
The shrub commonly grows from India to Malaysia and has been exported to many tropical and subtropical regions. It can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. The flowers are harvested when they begin to wilt and turn a dark red. These dried flowers can be purchased in bulk or packaged in smaller quantities. The food and pharmaceutical industries have shown interest in hibiscus flowers as a natural dye.
All parts of the plant have been used for medicinal purposes by native peoples. Research shows that hibiscus may lower blood pressure and naturally thin the blood. Scientists believe it reduces the harmful effects of alcohol on the liver and other bodily organs. In some areas, hibiscus syrup or tea is a hangover cure. It may also have antibacterial properties.
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