Hibiscus Powder
Hibiscus Powder is made from the dried, ground sepals of the hibiscus plant. Often mistaken for flowers themselves, they are actually fleshy, trumpet-shaped, deep burgundy fruits that grow after hibiscus flowers bloom. This finely ground, tart powder has a deep burgundy color.


Suggested uses
Basic prep
Ready to use. Add to taste.
Storage & handling
Store in a dry, cool place
Ingredients
Hibiscus
Hibiscus Powder is made from the hibiscus plant's dried, ground sepals. Often mistaken for flowers themselves, they are the trumpet-shaped, deep burgundy part of the plant that support the flowers on the stem. The sepal continues to grow after hibiscus flowers bloom, eventually forming a fleshy pod that surrounds the seeds. Hibiscus Powder is a finely ground, tart, deep burgundy powder that can be used to flavor warm or cold beverages, soups and sauces, as well as add deep fuchsia color to food and beverages.
"Hibiscus" refers to a family of shrub-like annual plants that produce colorful, trumpet-shaped blooms. The specific species of Hibiscus cultivated for culinary purposes is Hibiscus sabdariffa, also called "roselle." The plant thrives in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, from Mexico and Central America to Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Islands. Various cultures grow it for culinary and medicinal purposes, harvesting its calyces as well as its leaves.
In some cultures, Hibiscus Flowers are thought to have medicinal uses, ranging from reversing hypertension and lowering blood cholesterol levels to relieving colds and acting as a diuretic and mild laxative. However, the majority of these claims have not been confirmed. However, hibiscus flowers' high levels of vitamin C and electrolytes are undisputed.
Hibiscus is most often boiled with water and sweetened to make a tangy herbal beverage with a taste similar to cranberry juice. This beverage is most commonly known by its Spanish name, "agua de jamaica," but is brewed all over the world in hot and cold forms. It can also be used to make jam and jelly, as well as various soups and sauces.
Classic recipe
Hibiscus-Meringue-Frosted Vanilla Cupcakes
Our pleasantly tart, pink-hued Hibiscus Powder serves two purposes in this easy, cloud-like meringue frosting: it lends a light, citrusy note and also acts as a natural food coloring.