What is Egyptian Karkade?

Karkade or hibiscus juice is a refreshing drink that was thought to be popular with the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs. It’s the perfect drink for a hot summers day. Karkade is a juice or tea made from hibiscus flower petals. It has a taste like cranberry juice although it is not quite as sour.

What is Karkade good for?

Today, hibiscus is popular for its potential to reduce high blood pressure. Modern studies show promise for both the tea and hibiscus plant extract to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Although more research is still needed, this could be good news for the future of heart disease treatment.

Is Karkade a hibiscus?

Common names: Hibiscus also is known as karkade, red tea, red sorrel, Jamaica sorrel, rosella, soborodo (Zobo drink), Karkadi, roselle, and sour tea.

How do you drink Karkade?

Directions

1. Bring 10 cups of water to a boil.
2. Pour in 1 cup of dried hibiscus into the water.
3. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes and then turn off the heat and move the pot off of the burner.
4. Let the hibiscus steep in the water for 15 minutes.
5. Carefully pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer into your pitcher.

Why is hibiscus called Jamaica?

The drink is popular in Mexico where it’s known as Agua Fresca de Jamaica and there are dozens of theories as to why a Mexican drink has the name Jamaica in it. The answer is simple – it originated in Jamaica. The beverage is hibiscus tea.

What kind of food do Egyptian eat?

Egyptian cuisine makes heavy use of legumes, vegetables and fruit from Egypt’s rich Nile Valley and Delta. Examples of Egyptian dishes include rice-stuffed vegetables and grape leaves, hummus, falafel, shawarma, kebab and kofta. ful medames, mashed fava beans; kushari, lentils and pasta; and molokhiya, bush okra stew.

What’s the best way to make Egyptian Karkade?

Pour in the 1/2 cup of sugar and mix the tea using a long spoon or ladle. Rinse the spoon off immediately after use to avoid potential staining. Let the tea cool in the pitcher until you can place your hand against the side without burning yourself. Then place the pitcher, covered, in the refrigerator for a few hours until cool.

What kind of drink is Karkade in Egypt?

Instead of the usual water or lemonade that a lot of places offer up to their sweltering guests, hotels in Egypt offered Karkade. Being my usual large and disturbingly overheated self, I sauntered over to the large glass beverage dispenser containing the deep red drink.

How to make Egyptian Karkade hibiscus iced tea?

Egyptian Karkade – Hibiscus Iced Tea Recipe. Hibiscus iced tea garnished with fresh mint. 10 cups of water. 1 cup (or roughly 2 oz by weight) of karkade (dried hibiscus flowers) 1/2 cup of sugar (360 calories) Note: If you prefer it sweeter, then try 3/4 cup of sugar.

Why is Egyptian Karkade good for high blood pressure?

It doesn’t hurt that the tea is supposedly full of antioxidants (even more than green tea) and allegedly lowers high blood pressure when you drink enough of it although the hard scientific studies about this are a little lacking.