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How to Use Roselle Hibiscus: 5 Tasty Recipes

Now that you’ve grown roselle hibiscus, you might wonder how to use it in your cooking. In this article, we’ll show you five delicious recipes for incorporating this vibrant plant into your diet. Also known as red sorrel, Jamaican sorrel, or Florida cranberry, Hibiscus sabdariffa is a stunning addition to your garden and a flavorful ingredient for your kitchen.

What does roselle taste like?

The flavor of the roselle calyx is similar to cranberry but less bitter with lemon undertones. To use the calyces, cut open the calyx, remove the white seed capsule, and rinse before using. Check your recipe before discarding the seed pods–I use them to thicken roselle jam!

How to store roselle calyces until you’re ready to use them

When not stored correctly, roselle calyces often become moldy. Here are two tips to lengthen the storage life of your harvested roselle:

• Remove the blossom from the inside of the calyx. If left in place, the blossom often becomes moldy.
• Store calyces in the refrigerator in these containers for the longest storage life.

The blooms, leaves, and pods are edible

The leaves taste like spicy spinach and are frequently used in many cultures worldwide. Use the leaves in salads, as cooked greens, for tea, and in jam.

Best recipes for roselle hibiscus

Roselle is an impressively prolific plant; one plant can produce hundreds of calyces throughout the season. Here are my top picks for the best recipes to help you make the most of the roselle calyces flourishing in your garden.

Use roselle to make jam

This Australian favorite has quickly become our favorite way to use roselle. Unfortunately, the recipe I used to link to was changed. I need to add my own to the blog.

Make roselle citrus tea

Refreshing and delicious, this tea is perfect for brisk mornings. It’s made from freeze-dried or dehydrated roselle, lemon verbena, stevia, lemon grass, and lemon peel. Get the recipe and directions here.

For another refreshing drink idea please see my Homemade Lemonade Recipe. Turn fresh lemons into a cool, tangy treat perfect for hot days.

Use roselle to make “mock” cranberry sauce

This Hibiscus Holiday Sauce has replaced traditional cranberry sauce at our house. I’d love for you to give it a try. Here’s a link to the recipe.

Make hibiscus syrup

Use this versatile syrup as a beverage concentrate, pancake or ice cream topping, or a flavor base in savory dishes. Get the recipe here.

Use roselle to make a Jamaican sorrel drink

Arguably, it is the most well-known and popular way to use roselle hibiscus. This drink, often called “Rosa de Jamaica”, is a Christmas tradition in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. In Mexico or in Mexican restaurants in the United States, the beverage is known simply as “Jamaica”. Get the recipe here.

Use roselle hibiscus in your favorite recipes ​

• Use roselle in smoothies. Remove calyces from the seed pod and use fresh or frozen. (Don’t forget that the leaves are also edible and an easy addition to smoothies.)
• Add roselle to your favorite sauces. It adds a distinctive flavor and color and is tasty in sweet and savory sauces.
• Dehydrate or freeze hibiscus leaves to use later. 

Want to learn more about growing roselle hibiscus? This article is a good place to begin. 

Purchase seeds for roselle hibiscus here. 

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