Hibiscus Tea is made from the flowers of the Hibiscus plant and is a popular beverage. I think Hibiscus Tea is delicious and this is what it tastes like:
What Does Hibiscus Tea Taste Like?
Hibiscus Tea is tart and has fruity notes. I find it tastes somewhat similar to cranberry or pomegranate. If you like sour lollies or tart fruits, you will probably also like the taste of Hibiscus.
Is Hibiscus Tea Sweet?
Hibiscus Tea does have some fruity notes which are slightly sweet but Hibiscus tea isn’t sweet by itself. Depending on how it is brewed it will end up being more tart. The more hibiscus and the hotter the water, the more tart the Hibiscus tea will end up being.
Do you need to add sugar to Hibiscus Tea?
Hibiscus tea is tart, but I don’t think you need to add sugar to it. Traditional recipes from Jamaica and South America usually include sugar as well as spices. While this is a delicious drink, it’s definitely not healthy. I’d encourage you to try it without sugar. Especially when cold brewed, it’s not that tart and ends up being zingy and refreshing.
What Flavours Go Well with Hibiscus
You’ll find Hibiscus in a lot of herbal teas as it complements other flavours so well. It adds a nice tangy kick to any herbal tea. Hibiscus works well with Ginger and Fruit Flavours, it can also be used to round out a citrus tea.
How do you Brew Hibiscus Tea
My favourite way to make hibiscus tea is using a cold brew method. This makes the most deliciously refreshing iced tea that is perfect for summer. But Hibiscus tea can also be made using hot water.
To make a cold brew of Hibiscus tea, I place 4-5 spoons of Hibiscus flowers in my cold brew container, fill with cold water and place in the fridge overnight. The next day you can strain out the flowers, although I usually just end up drinking it that day and I find it doesn’t get too strong. And because this is a cold brewed this is not too tart or bitter.
To brew Hibiscus Tea, I’d use a larger infuser so the flowers have room to move about. Use 1 tablespoon of hibiscus to 1 cup of water. Steep for 2-4 mins. If you have a smart kettle, I would use ~80 degree water to cut down on some of the bitterness and tartness. Different hibiscus brands do taste differently. So it will come down to a bit of experimentation.
