August 1, 2009
Drinking Flower Juice in Delhi
My flat-mate was recently in Mali for work and brought back little bags of burgundy dried flowers that look like potpourri. She said she bought them at a little village market in Selingue. You boil them in water which turns magenta and tastes slightly sour, like lemon juice.
They’re petals from a hibiscus plant and, apparently, people in tropical places all over the world drink this pink infusion, hot as hibiscus tea or as a juice on ice for summer hydration (you may know it as Flor de Jamaica, which is what they call it in Mexico). It’s supposed to have medicinal qualities.
*After many years spent in New York City, Razia Sultan recently moved to Delhi, India.
2 Comments
Hey this is a dope post and well timed. I happen to be making some agua fresca de Jamaica (hibiscus) right now, and plan on using it in Jamaica flavored margaritas for brunch tomorrow!
Gosh I can't remember where I had hibiscus tea… maybe it was Kyoto??? But yes, sour, but such a gorgeous color!! I'm wondering what the medicinal qualities are.