Hibiscus Flower Tea

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers (ensure the flowers are edible and not treated with chemicals or pesticides)
• 1 (1"-long) cinnamon stick
• 1/2"-piece fresh ginger, washed and cut into rounds with skin on
• Honey or palm jaggery to taste

Method

1. Bring 4 cups of water to boil in a pot. Add the hibiscus flowers, cinnamon stick, and ginger pieces; boil for 5 minutes.
2. Remove the pot from the heat and cover it. Allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes. (Keeping the flowers in water longer may result in a bitter taste. For more flavour you can add more dried flowers into the water instead.)
3. Strain the liquid, squeezing the cinnamon sticks and ginger pieces to ensure maximum flavour is released.
4. Add honey / palm jaggery to taste. Serve either hot or cold. Allow the water to cool completely before storing in the refrigerator.

Source note: Adapted from Isha Foundation’s A Taste of Well-Being (Harper Element, 2016).