The origins of our Hibiscus fruit tea infusion
A tangy and refreshing caffeine-free option, our award-winning Hibiscus fruit tea infusion is packed with chunky fruit – perfect for an invigorating winter warmer or chilled on a sultry summer afternoon.
A kaleidoscope of delicious fruits and flowers makes up this loose-leaf tea: apple, papaya, berries, sunflower blossoms, cornflower petals – and, of course, delicious hibiscus. Purple-red in colour, our Hibiscus tea has a luxurious fruity aroma and flavour, along with an intense sweetness that has made it a favourite of our customers as well as the Great Taste Awards judging panel.
Although hibiscus tea is sometimes called sour tea, due to the hibiscus sabdariffa flower's tart qualities, ours has been carefully blended with a range of berries and tree fruit to achieve the ideal flavour balance. You definitely won't need to add sugar to our delightfully exotic tea!
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Is fruit tea good for you?
Every sip of this vibrant, supremely fruity infusion feels good for you. Made entirely without caffeine and with natural ingredients, Hibiscus tea, made with dried hibiscus flower, can be drunk by all the family. It’s a great option for those wanting to up their healthy fluid intake or who are looking for a sweetly soothing bedtime brew. (One word of caution: hibiscus is a member of the mallow family, which some people are allergic to, and it contains phytoestrogens, which may cause hormonal fluctuations and so should be avoided by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.)
The main health benefits of hibiscus tea come from its high antioxidant content. Of these, ascorbic acid, aka vitamin C, is key in this fruit infusion, bolstered by the addition of apple, papaya, strawberry and raspberry – making it a great immune-boosting addition to your diet throughout cold and flu season.
Drinking hibiscus tea is also associated with helping lower blood pressure and levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol, being useful in weight management and for potentially helping offset liver disease, including cancer, though more research is needed here.
The many uses of hibiscus
Hibiscus is native to tropical and warm temperate climates, and its flower, root and calyx have been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. The Egyptians knew it as a treatment for heart conditions. In Iran it has been used for centuries as a way of relieving hypertension, and in Chinese medicine its uses include everything from a diuretic to an inflammatory.
The flavour profile of hibiscus is commonly described as being somewhere between cranberry and pomegranate, making it a welcome ingredient in the kitchen. In African culinary culture, hibiscus has been particularly popular as the main ingredient of celebratory drinks at communal gatherings, and also as a dried seasoning – in rice dishes, for example – and as a meat marinade.
Easy hibiscus ice lollies
If you want to introduce this beautiful ingredient into your own kitchen, you can use our luxury Hibiscus fruit infusion for your own easy summertime ice lolly recipe. Simply brew 3-4 teaspoons of The Tea Makers of London Hibiscus fruit infusion in 350ml of boiling water in a bowl (with a little maple syrup to taste, if you like) and leave to infuse. Once steeped, strain into a jug and let cool. Stir in a good squeeze of lime juice along with a handful of your favourite soft berries: chopped strawberries, raspberries or a mix of both. Pour the hibiscus fruit mix into six ice-lolly moulds and transfer to the freezer to set. Enjoy as a thirst-quenching sweet summer treat!
Alternatives to Hibiscus tea
If you enjoyed this tea, other fruity, caffeine-free options include Chai of Madagascar, our unique, African take on an Indian classic, with a base of South African honeybush leaves, and our Mango Mocktail, which bursts with tropical notes and can be enjoyed as a refreshing drink in the summer, or as much needed ray of sunshine in the winter.
Whether you’re serving your fruit tea hot or cold, our range of Glassware has plenty of options, from the ultra elegant to the smart and practical. For more fruit tea infusions, browse our Tea Shop.
| Nutritional Information per 100g | ||
| Energy | kcal | 6 |
| kJ | 25 | |
| Fat | g | 0.1 |
| of which saturates | g | <0.1 |
| Carbohydrates | g | 1.2 |
| of which sugar | g | 0.8 |
| Protein | g | 0.1 |
| Salt | g | <0.01 |
