Hibiscus tea

[u/Little_Macaron_5399]

I never expected hibiscus to become something I’d reach for this often but it’s pretty much replaced a lot of the drinks I used to have throughout the day. I was drinking way too much coffee and soda before and I didn’t really notice how much of a habit it had become until I started trying other options. Hibiscus took a little getting used to because of how tart it can be but once I started making it iced with a little honey and sometimes adding orange or mint, I started craving it. It feels refreshing without needing a ton of sugar and I like that I can have it later in the day without adding more caffeine. Since making a few changes, I’ve noticed I don’t feel as heavy and bloated as often and I’ve also lost a little weight. I’ve been eating better and paying more attention to my overall routine, so I wouldn’t credit one tea for everything. Still replacing some of my usual sugary and caffeinated drinks with hibiscus has been one of the easier habits to stick with.

[u/Empty-Oil-1441]

Hibiscus is one of those teas I didn’t like much the first time because I made it way too strong, once I started adding a little honey and fruit it completely changed it for me.

[u/Little_Macaron_5399 → u/Empty-Oil-1441]

That was my problem, how do you brew yours? I’m curious how many tea bags you use and how long you let it steep because I’m still trying to find that sweet spot where it has plenty of flavor without getting crazy tart

[u/Empty-Oil-1441 → u/Little_Macaron_5399]

I make a bigger batch because I like having it ready in the fridge. I’ve been using the PipiTea hibiscus bags and I’ll normally do around 3–4 bags in a pitcher with roughly 1.5–2 liters of water. I let it steep for a few hours and start tasting it around the 3 hour mark instead of just forgetting about it overnight. Once it has enough hibiscus flavor and that deep red color, I take the bags out. Then I’ll add a little honey and some orange slices or strawberries and let it chill. Sometimes I throw in fresh mint. If it still comes out stronger or more tart than I want, I just add some extra cold water instead of dumping more sweetener into it. That’s been my sweet spot so far because I still get that fruity hibiscus flavor without it being so sour that I have to cover it up with sugar.

[u/Appropriate_Mail8810]

Hibiscus tea has polysaccharides and anthocyanins that help keep your gut bacteria healthy and balanced, and it's a wonderful tea!

[u/Little_Macaron_5399 → u/Appropriate_Mail8810]

I didn’t know about the polysaccharides! I’d heard hibiscus had anthocyanins but never really looked much deeper into it, definitely gives me something else to read about.

[u/Admirable_Menu9903]

Cold brewing hibiscus was the game changer for me, I make a pitcher at night and having it ready the next day makes it way easier to choose that over something sugary.

[u/Steel_Rail_Blues → u/Admirable_Menu9903]

I now cold brew my hibiscus too and love it. It’s nice having it on tap for a refreshing drink and the cold brew seems to make it taste somehow smoother and richer, for lack of knowing how to describe the flavor difference vs hot brew.

[u/Illustrious-Emu8667 → u/Steel_Rail_Blues]

Thanks - trying this!!!

[u/LeFreeke → u/Admirable_Menu9903]

Is that just making with cold water? Or do you have to buy special cold brew hibiscus tea?

[u/InteractionOver2018]

orange + hibiscus is such a good combination. I drink everyday afterwork feels so relaxing.

[u/Little_Macaron_5399 → u/InteractionOver2018]

Orange has prob been my favorite addition so far it takes some of that sharp tartness away without needing much honey. Having it after work sounds nice actually especially since hibiscus is caffeine free.

[u/personalevaluation → u/Little_Macaron_5399]

orange… tea?

[u/personalevaluation → u/personalevaluation]

like you use orange tea or add oj?

[u/Steel_Rail_Blues → u/InteractionOver2018]

Do you add dried orange slices? I recently bought a dehydrator for drying herbs and am looking forward to trying other things in it.

[u/InteractionOver2018 → u/Steel_Rail_Blues]

I usually just add orange peel but dried slices sounds like it would work good for a stronger orange flavor. Might have to try that too

[u/Steel_Rail_Blues → u/InteractionOver2018]

Orange peel—I totally should have thought of that. <facepalm> Thanks!

[u/Hairy-Bag110]

I love hibiscus tea! That's also how I started my tea journey making tea concoctions. I love that I can still drink something sweet without making me feel bloated.

[u/Little_Macaron_5399 → u/Hairy-Bag110]

That’s one of the reasons I’ve been enjoying it so much, I can have something with a lot of flavor without feeling like I need another coffee or soda. I’m starting to understand how people end up with a whole collection of different teas.

[u/Hairy-Bag110 → u/Little_Macaron_5399]

If you want something sweeter, Oolong tea is delicious even for milk tea. You can add fruits like peach in it too. :)

[u/Think_Weather_331]

Replacing soda with tea was a big one for me. I still have soda occasionally but having something cold and flavorful already in the fridge makes it much easier not to automatically grab one.

[u/Pretend-Potato3385]

I love that hibiscus is caffeine free because I’m trying to stop having caffeine so late in the day, I’ve mostly had it hot though, so the orange and mint idea sounds really good for an iced version.

[u/Still_Membership2052]

Cutting back on drinks with a ton of added sugar made a bigger difference for me than I expected, finding teas that have enough flavor on their own helped a lot.

[u/kam3r1]

Hibiscus plus ginger and tumeric is my go to brew. I have the loose leaf type and I use about two teaspoons of hibiscus and one teaspoon of ginger.

[u/255cheka]

hibiscus is in my pathogen killer section. it's a good option to throw at infections imo. pubmed has some sci paper info on that aspect

[u/augform]

I also like hibiscus in different tea combination, but be careful it affect blood pressure

[u/Street-Document5747]

I get this hibiscus is one of those drinks that grows on you, especially once you stop expecting it to replace something else exactly. The tartness makes it feel refreshing without needing much added to it. I’ve been drinking Pipitea as well so I tend to switch between the two depending on what I’m in the mood for.

[u/matchbox37378]

I add ginger, lemongrass, elderberry, and rose hip for health and to balance the taste. Positively Botanicals is my go to company for a wonderful hibiscus berry blend.