For months a friend of mine had been extolling the virtues of a daily cup of hibiscus tea. He told me that drinking it regularly could lower one’s blood pressure and some studies have shown that consuming the tea could help fight cancer – in particular brain and skin cancer. I finally broke under the strain of his sales pitch and asked him where I could pick up some. Not long afterwards a big box arrived in the mail. He sent me three pounds – three pounds – of hibiscus tea. I had my work cut out for me.
Kel and I have a cup of hot hibiscus tea a few times a week and I also occasionally add it to our morning smoothies. The combination of hibiscus and cherry pleases me the most. Hibiscus straight up is quite tangy – like on the lemon juice side of tangy – but the cherries, dates and bananas tame the tart. And the color is lovely.
Now for a few disclaimers. Keep in mind a couple of things: if you already have low blood pressure (as I do), you may want to limit your intake of hibiscus tea. Also, this tea can lower estrogen levels – if you’re on hormone replacement therapy or are on birth control pills, this tea is not for you. If you are undergoing chemotherapy – check with your physician before making this tea a regular part of your day. Finally, some folks experience an extra special little buzz after consuming hibiscus tea. If you find yourself having an unusually deep and meaningful conversation with your houseplants, you might want to gift the remainder of the tea leaves to a friend.
There’s still plenty of voting days left in Ethical Ocean’s Eat What’s Good vegan recipe challenge – and my Mango Sticky Rice Cake needs help!! Click on the image below to go to my recipe. And thank you!
Sharing this recipe on Healthy Vegan Friday!
Hibiscus-Cherry Cooler
Serves 2 generously
1 1/2 cups hibiscus tea, chilled
2 oranges, peeled
1 lime, peeled
2 bananas (yes, peeled)
2-4 dates, chopped
2 cups frozen cherries (strawberries are mighty tasty, too)
1 tbsp. hemp protein powder, optional
Combine ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Serve.
