| ADD TO CART | ||
|---|---|---|
| 100 g | $9.96 / per cup $0.19 | |
| 250 g | $19.37 / per cup $0.15 | |
| 500 g | $29.34 / per cup $0.11 | |
| 1 kg | $55.36 / per cup $0.11 | |
Depending on where you live, Hibiscus infusions go by many, many different names. In Senegal, the drink is known as Bissap and is commonly thought of as the national beverage. In The Gambia, the infusion goes by the name of Wanjo in Mali Dabileni and in Nigeria, Tsobo. Most famously however, the tart red infusion is known as Karkadeh, or Karkady in Egypt, where it has been enjoyed since the days of the Pharaohs. Egyptian legend has it that Tutankhamen's royal cookbook contained recipes for brewing the refreshing beverage. (And as they used to say back in the day, if it's good enough for the Pharaoh, it's good enough for me!) These days, on street corners from Aswan to Cairo, vendors prepare and dole out cup after cup of sweet Karkadeh to refresh passersby in the hot Egyptian sun.
So, what accounts for the beverage's longevity and popularity? In addition to the superb flavor of infused hibiscus, the drink has numerous health benefits for the body. The flower, which grows throughout the tropical world is a source of flavonoids and antioxidants and has been shown to be an effective agent for lowering blood pressure. As such, research suggests that incorporating hibiscus tea into the diet can control blood pressure in people who are at risk of developing hypertension. For those of us who aren't prone to hypertension, the flower offers high doses of Vitamin C making it a worthwhile beverage for any occasion.
In keeping with Egyptian tradition, we've sourced this organic hibiscus from one of that country's top producers. The flowers are grown free of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in favor of all-natural agricultural input. Try some today and raise a toast to the Red Tea of Egypt!
Traditional Karkadeh recipe:
Ingredients:
Preparation:
Tea Type: Herbal / Organic
Country: Egypt
Region: Nile River
Grade: 1st Grade
Altitude: Below 500 ft
Manufacturer Type: Field grown, sundried
Ingredients: Hibiscus
Cup Characteristics: Tart and good for your heart. Full fruity character with a light sweet finish.
Infusion: Luscious deep crimson.
Brewing Hot
Hot tea brewing method: Bring filtered or freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of herb & fruit blend, 1 tea bag or 1 Q3 portion control pack for each 7-9oz/200-260ml of fluid volume in the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 5-10 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time, the better the flavor as more fruit and herb flavor is extracted). Garnish and sweeten to taste.
Brewing Cold
Iced tea brewing method (Pitcher): (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 12 slightly heaping teaspoons of herb & fruit blend, 6 tea bags or 6 Q3 portion packs into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Using filtered or freshly drawn cold water, boil and pour 1 1/4 cups/315ml over the herb & fruit blend. Steep for 5-10 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the tea or removing the tea bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced herb & fruit tea is to increase the strength of hot brew since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.