Roselle Tea: What it is and How to Make It

Roselle tea, often known by its vibrant crimson hue, is not just a treat for the eyes but also a treasure trove of health benefits. Made from the calyces of the Roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa), this tea has been enjoyed in various cultures around the world for its unique taste and myriad health properties. Let’s dive into the world of Roselle tea and discover what makes it so special.

The Roselle plant is believed to have its origins in West Africa. Over time, its cultivation spread to other parts of the world, including Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Different cultures have embraced Roselle tea, not just as a refreshing beverage but also for its medicinal properties. In ancient Egypt, for instance, Roselle tea was consumed to help maintain a healthy heart and lower body temperature.

Roselle tea has a distinct tart flavor, reminiscent of cranberries, or fruit punch without the sugar! It’s pleasingly tart, and mild enough to enjoy without sweetener. Or, for a sweeter treat, you can add your favorite sweetener. Whether served hot with a slice of lemon or cold with a sprig of mint, Roselle tea is a delightful experience for the palate.

This only barely touches on some of the many wonderful health of this plant. For more, see our article on Roselle Benefits and Uses.

There are many possible blends to use for making a roselle tea, or it’s delicious all by itself, either hot or cold. So this is just to give you some ideas and from there you may enjoy experimenting with your own herbal blends and roselle flower concoctions.

We almost always have a pitcher of herbal tea in the fridge, even in winter, and especially the medicinal herbal tea blends from our garden harvest.

Roselle flower tea is both delicious and nutritious!

To brew Roselle tea:

If you’re growing your own Roselle, you may enjoy this article on How and When to Harvest Roselle.

If you’re not yet growing this wonderful Hibiscus sabdariffa plant, you can buy Roselle in loose bulk for more economical price, or in tea bags for efficiency. That’s how we started and how we’re growing our own.

You can increase or decrease the flavor intensity by increasing or decreasing the quantity of dried roselle flowers used. Our general ratio is one tablespoon of dried hibiscus sabdariffa flowers per serving.

1 serving

Pour boiling water over dried flowers in an infuser teacup with strainer, or into a measuring cup to be strained into your favorite teacup after steeping.

1 serving

Pour boiling water over dried flowers in an infuser teacup with strainer, or into a measuring cup to be strained into your favorite teacup after steeping.

If using dried stevia herb, add this to the dried roselle flowers and add boiling water. Otherwise, add sweetener of choice to the tea after steeping.

2 servings

Place all herbs into an herbal infuser tea pitcher. Cover with boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. Serve.

Use half the amount of water, then add ice to the pitcher after steeping and before serving. You may also wish to add a little ice to the glass before pouring.

If you have any hibiscus bushes, you may also enjoy reading this article on pruning Rose of Sharon, and this one on one of our favorite hibiscus beauties: the Fiesta Hibiscus.

Roselle Flower Tea – Delicious hot or cold; sweetened or plain; alone or blended.

This 3:36 minute video shows you how to harvest your roselle plant for tea with the roselle calyx.

Some people make roselle calyx tea and some make hibiscus flower tea, and others use both.

Roselle’s versatility doesn’t end with tea. The calyces can be used to make jams, jellies, sauces, and even desserts. In some cultures, the leaves of the Roselle plant are also consumed as a vegetable or added to dishes for an extra tang. We love that it’s super nutritious and delicious and you can grow your own!

I’m LeAura Alderson, a garden, herb and plant enthusiast with a passion for discovering the many edible and medicinal benefits of the plants all around us, including the weeds! I’m a writer, editor and media publisher for our family of websites.

While I was certified in fitness and life coaching, I am NOT a health practitioner. However, I’m a lifelong health enthusiast, with a keen interest in healthy, organic foods and making home remedies and the content we share is from our own experience and usage as well as that extracted from scientific research so that you can explore further on your own.

Always seek the advice and guidance of your health practitioners first and foremost.

As a family we’re steadily expanding our gardening, experimentation and knowledge around all things gardening, edible landscaping, fresh organic foods and self sustainability with farming in our future. I also own and manage iCreateDaily.com, a site all about transformation through creation, and the power of positivity, optimism and mindset.