Can I eat hibiscus flower directly?

Hibiscus holds an honored place in some Hindu rituals, and some cultures consider it a medicinal plant. In early research, scientists have found some evidence to support its health benefits. The flowers, leaves, and seeds of the hibiscus are all edible .

How do you consume hibiscus?

Simply add dried hibiscus flowers to a teapot and pour boiling water over them. Let it steep for 5 minutes, and then strain, sweeten if desired, and enjoy . Hibiscus tea can be consumed hot or cold and has a tart taste similar to that of cranberries.

What happens if we eat hibiscus flower daily?

According to a study, regular consumption of hibiscus tea potentially lowered the blood pressure of a hypertensive patient as compared to the initial dose of the standard medication to lower the BP.

What not to mix with hibiscus?

People taking chloroquine for the treatment or prevention of malaria should avoid Hibiscus sabdariffa products. Be cautious with this combination. Taking Hibiscus sabdariffa while taking diclofenac might alter levels of diclofenac in the body. This might change the effects and side effects of diclofenac.

Who should not drink hibiscus tea?

Who should not drink hibiscus tea? Those with low blood pressure and who take other medications may need to avoid hibiscus tea. The effects on pregnancy are not clear.

What color hibiscus is edible?

Both the foliage and flowers of ' Panama Red ' Hibiscus are edible. Young leaves have a tart, lemony flavor, are rich in vitamin C and thiamin, and may be eaten raw or cooked. Its red foliage also adds color and flavor to salads. Leaves retain their color, size and flavor when cooked, but become slightly mucilaginous.

Can you eat all kinds of hibiscus flowers?

Remember, even though all varieties of hibiscus may be edible, the best variety of hibiscus for edible flowers, leaves, and calyxes is Hibiscus sabdariffa.

Can you eat boiled hibiscus flowers?

In various places around the world, the flowers are eaten cooked, raw, pickled, as a spice, or even as a food dye. The flowers are the most used part of the hibiscus plant in cooking. In China, flower petals are baked in cakes, and in India they are boiled with sugar into a sweet, iced drink .

What does hibiscus food taste like?

Hibiscus' tart flavor is reminiscent of cranberry or pomegranate . Because it's not a sweetly floral flavor, it works well in savory dishes, too.

Does hibiscus make you sleepy?

When is the best time to drink hibiscus tea and does it make you sleepy? Consuming hibiscus tea makes for an excellent nightcap due to its tart flavor and potential health benefits, and it contains melatonin which may make you sleepier than you were before consuming your tasty beverage .

How can you tell if a hibiscus is edible?

Species: Edible hibiscus typically refers to Roselle hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), also known as sorrel or Jamaican sorrel. Appearance: Roselle hibiscus has distinctive red calyces (the outer part of the flower), which are used for making herbal teas, jellies, sauces, and other culinary preparations.

Can I use any hibiscus flower for tea?

Only certain hibiscus plants can be used to make hibiscus tea . The flowers of H. sabdariffa and H. acetosella are commonly used when brewing hibiscus tea.

How To Eat Edible Hibiscus Flower: 13 Tasty Recipes (2024)

Are all hibiscus flowers edible? The quick answer is there are hundreds of species in the Hibiscus genus and many of them are indeed edible, but we cannot generalize them as a whole.

Read on to discover the most common species of hibiscus that are edible, the flavors and parts of the plant used, and some delicious recipes that you can make today.

Edible Species of Hibiscus

Some background info

Hibiscuses are tropical plants. They are part of the Mallow family and are okra relatives. If you aren’t familiar with okra, it has a mucilaginous or gooey substance that is quite common in the mallow family.

You will find this characteristic has made its way into the hibiscus genus as well. Take a look at the most common edible species of hibiscus below and what parts of the plant are most often consumed.

Different Edible Species

Hibiscus sabdariffa: Common names – Florida Cranberry; Roselle; Jamaican Sorrel

As a general, rule this is the most commonly spoken of species. It is the only species with fleshy edible red crowns most people think of when they see hibiscus.

The plant can be a short-lived perennial hibiscus species if you live in zones 9-13, but it can also be brought inside in a container to extend its life.

Hibiscus syriacus: Common name – Rose of Sharon

Mainly grown for ornamental purposes, this plant does also contain an edible hibiscus flower. Any variety of this species is edible, but be sure to double-check that you have this variety because the common name is shared with other plants.

Hibiscus acetosella: Common names – Cranberry Hibiscus; False Roselle

A common variety used is called ‘Panama Red’ Hibiscus. It has beautiful red foliage which helped develop its common name of ‘Cranberry Hibiscus’ and also makes for a great showy ornamental.

This variety is mainly eaten for the leaves and you can put them in salads or cook them like spinach.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis: Common name – Chinese Hibiscus

This beauty has colorful blossoms and the young hibiscus leaves are edible. It is, again, a tropical hibiscus and it is grown throughout the tropics as an edible plant and one used for its medicinal properties.

Parts of Plants Used

To summarize, you can use the following parts of edible hibiscus (depending on the species):

Young leaves; new growth or tender leaves
Seed pod also known as the calyx – this is the red fleshy crown
Flower petals

Flavors of Hibiscus

Depending on the part of the plant used it can have the following flavors:

Culinary Use

Get ready for some inspiration! Hibiscus has a wide number of uses. I think many of these recipes are sure to please.

How To Eat Edible Hibiscus Flower: 13 Tasty Recipes (1)

1. Hibiscus Tea

A tart, hot herbal tea can be just the thing to warm you up in winter. Likewise, in the summertime, it is quite popular as an iced tea, especially in the Caribbean and Central America. You can make a basic recipe that is always a winner or feel a little frisky with the spiced version.

Classic Hibiscus Iced Tea Recipe

Spiced Up Hibiscus Iced Tea Recipe – Agua de Jamaica

2. Ice Cream

Summer is not complete without some creamy, cold ice cream. Try out the recipe below for a bit of a twist. Adding in hibiscus isn’t the only unique flavor in this delightful recipe.

And to make things even better, this recipe is dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and vegan-friendly.

Strawberry Rose & Hibiscus Ice Cream

3. Salads, Wraps, Cooked Spinach

Use the edible leaves in all the ways you can use leafy greens. In the recipe below, you can use the greens to make an easy wrap for on-the-go meals.

Quinoa Hibiscus Wraps

4. Alcohol

You can make all sorts of hibiscus boozy wonders. I’d say start with the recipe below for some fantastic margaritas you will come back to time and time again.

5-Ingredient Hibiscus Margaritas

5. Jam

With natural pectin, a key ingredient for making jam, hibiscus makes the perfect addition to any jelly. In the recipe below, it takes center stage. In addition, a little toast with this jam will start your morning off right!

6. Chutney

There is absolutely nothing like a good chutney to fill you with vigor and energy. The complexity of the ingredients all intermixed is a dream. More over, you’ll be dreaming about this chutney after trying the recipe below.

Hibiscus Chutney Recipe

7. Salsas

There is something about savory dishes that is intensely satisfying. Salsas make the cut in this regard. To sum it up, this recipe has a mix of “sweet, sour, salty, and spicy” according to the author. Grab the chips!

Honey Hibiscus Salsa

8. Vinegars

According to the authors of this recipe, “your salad will have a bold and fresh flavor”. I kind of like the sound of that in a world that can sometimes be mundane. Freshen up your salad and dips with this tasty recipe.

Hibiscus Infused Vinegar

9. Popsicles

We found an incredible recipe that not only has the tart hibiscus flavor you love, but the cooling side of mint with a splash of lime that balances out the whole popsicle. Share with your whole family and make some summertime memories.

Hibiscus Mint Lime Popsicles

10. Syrup

You can use this in co*cktails, lemonade, and over ice cream and pancakes. The possibilities are endless. Follow this simple recipe to get started.

Hibiscus Simple Syrup

11. Honey

Take a minute to just imagine what a honey infused with hibiscus would taste like. My taste buds are buzzing with anticipation. Use your own honey or some from your local beekeeper.

Hibiscus Infused Honey

12. Cupcakes

The hibiscus frosting makes this meringue-like dish sure to wow your friends. Easy to make, and you can find many of the ingredients needed right on their website.

Hibiscus-Meringue-Frosted Vanilla Cupcakes

13. Banana Bread

Spice up this classic bread with our plant of the day. The tartness gives a little kick to the bread. In addition, this recipe is gluten-free and vegan!

Hibiscus Banana Bread

Health Benefits

Many cultures respect hibiscus for its potential health benefits. Here is a list of some of the common ones specifically for Hibiscus sabdariffa [ 1 ].

Healthy levels of Vitamin C
May boost your immune system
May help control blood pressure
May help reduce cholesterol

Summary: Hibiscus Flowers Are Yummy

In conclusion, are all hibiscus flowers edible? Probably not, but the ones that are sure are good. I think this is a wonderful plant to grow at home.

If you have a big window that provides full sun you even have the opportunity to grow it as a container plant (or can always use a grow light). Definitely don’t miss out on the opportunity to have these beautiful flowers in your home.

To your indoor gardening success!

-KC

References

[ 1 ] Montalvo-González, E., Villagrán, Z., González-Torres, S., Iñiguez-Muñoz, L. E., Isiordia-Espinoza, M. A., Ruvalcaba-Gómez, J. M., Arteaga-Garibay, R. I., Acosta, J. L., González-Silva, N., & Anaya-Esparza, L. M. (2022). Physiological Effects and Human Health Benefits of Hibiscus sabdariffa: A Review of Clinical Trials. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 15(4), 464. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15040464