CautionAfrica · Food · № 25
Roselle (hibiscus)
Hibiscus sabdariffa
The red calyces make a tart drink. Folk medicine links it to blood pressure; it is not a substitute for treatment.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+2Folklore
Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean →
Sorrel, Caribbean Christmas drink
Hibiscus with ginger and allspice: the red drink that belongs to Christmas in Jamaica and Trinidad.
Traditional use
- Time
- 20 minutes, plus steeping overnight
- Makes
- About 2 litres
Roselle came to the Caribbean with West Africans and is called sorrel there. It flowers around December, and sorrel with ginger, allspice and cloves became the Christmas drink of the islands. It is a close relative of West African bissap.
Ingredients
- 60 g dried hibiscus calyces
A 5 cm piece of fresh ginger, grated
8 allspice berries
4 cloves- Peel of 1 orange
- 2 litres water
- 200 g cane sugar
Step by step
- Bring the water to the boil with the ginger, allspice, cloves and orange peel.
- Remove from the heat, add the hibiscus and leave to steep overnight, covered.
- Strain, stir in the sugar until dissolved and chill.
Tips
- In Jamaica a splash of rum often goes in for the adults.
Registry
Herbs in this recipe
Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.
- Caution
- Caution
Asia · Herb · № 1
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.
Ayurveda+6Folklore - Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 212
Allspice
Pimenta dioica
The dried berries contain eugenol, like cloves, and give a warm flavour. In Caribbean folk medicine they are used for stomach ache and wind; research is lacking.
Maya healing knowledge+3Folklore - Caution
Asia · Food · № 42
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum
A spice. Clove oil containing eugenol may help with toothache; other claims are unproven.
Ayurveda+5Folklore
Cultures and traditions
Where the herbs come from
The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.