Originally from Africa or India, hibiscus flowers arrived in Mexico in colonial times and have become deeply integrated into Mexican cuisine. Often used to prepare agua de jamaica, or freshly flavored water, fruit popsicles or Jell-O, the dried flowers infuse the liquid with a deep, vivid red color.
They are not just any Hibiscus flower though. These are “Hibiscus Sabdariffa” also known as Roselle. In Mexico known as Jamaica, it is well known in Mexico that the flowers contain helpful diuretic and digestive properties, as well as high levels of vitamin C and other minerals. These days it is easy to get them in many stores in the US or online. They can be incorporated into many other dishes to add a peculiarly tangy taste, similar to cranberries.
When I was younger I used to enjoy playing with the flowers and pretending to make magical potions in my family’s kitchen. Now that I am grown up, I keep on playing with them in my own kitchen! More modern takes of Jamaica include it in sauces for meats, vinaigrettes for salads and different kinds of desserts.
Comments
21comments inHibiscus or Jamaica Flowers
Musa Phuthi
Apr 07
I want Jamaica flowers dryones it’s hw much and hw can l get it
Pati Jinich
Apr 10
Look for them in your local hispanic or Latin Market Musa. I have seen them in some mainstream grocery stores like Giant and Safeway as well 🙂
Katy
Sep 20
Thank you for the description and anecdote! Loved reading it all!
Pati Jinich
Sep 26
Thanks to you for following Katy!
Erica Acosta
Aug 19
I made your cookies when I saw the episode one day. We fell in love. They I had to go gluten-free due to my Celiac diagnosis. My husband and missed them so I made them gluten free with a hibiscus cream cheese Frosting. Literally one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life 😋
Pati Jinich
Aug 23
Nice Erica, great idea! Have a great Sunday 😉
Lourdes’s
Aug 19
I love your recipes
Pati Jinich
Aug 23
Gracias Lourdes!
Celia
Aug 18
El agua de jamaica es mi favorites.
Pati Jinich
Aug 23
Si Celia, es deliciosa 😉
Gerardo haro
Aug 18
I love your style
Pati Jinich
Aug 23
Gracias Gerardo!
Kenna
Jul 04
I drink aqua de Jamaica every day. I have also used your chocolate jamaica cookie recipe for several years. Love your recipes. I never thought of popsicles. Thanks for the idea.
Pati Jinich
Jul 04
Oh enjoy them, Kenna!
Anonymous
Jan 13
Please post a fresh flower, so people will know what the flower looks like in Nature…….I think it will be meaningful ( present the nature also !!! ) – Thank you.
Pati
Jan 16
Oh hibiscus flowers are beautiful! But the dried flowers are used in cooking…
Kenna morton
Oct 10
I make your Aqua de Jamaica all the time. So hooked on it. I did a medical literature search about claims of being useful for diabetics and people with high blood pressure. Found many pieces of supporting literature from reputable sources.
Pati
Oct 12
I’m glad you enjoy it Kenna!
Lois Munson
Jan 18
I missed the recipe for the hibiscus flower cookies and am having no luck finding it here. HELP!
Patricia Chairez
Mar 13
I had the same problem so i googled it. took me to another of her websites. Here is the link,
https://patyhinich.com/recipe/chocolate-cookies-with-hibiscus-flowers/
Pati
Mar 13
Thank you Patricia! Louis, I hope you like the cookies!