Hibiscus Tea Health Benefits and How to Brew Properly (2024)

Hibiscus tea is a an herbal tea that’s caffeine-free. See health benefits and how to properly brew this bright red tea properly, step-by-step, with expert tips from a certified Tea Sommelier.

What is Hibiscus Tea?

Hibiscus tea is an herbal, caffeine-free drink made from steeping dried hibiscus calyces (the part of the plant that supports the petals and protect the bud) in water.

The tea is naturally red. The bright red hibiscus colors the water and flavors it.The hibiscus plant is known for its large, bright colored flowers and it is grown in regions with tropical temperatures.

Always use food-grade hibiscus to make sure they weren’t treated with pesticides.

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6 Health Benefits of Hibiscus tea

1. Provides Antioxidants

Hibiscus tea is an excellent source of antioxidants. This includes compounds like polyphenols and anthocyanins, which can help reduce oxidative stress in the body.

This is important because oxidative stress may increase the risk of chronic conditions, like heart disease and cancer, over time.

2. Reduces High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease but beverages like hibiscus tea can help.

In a 2019 study, people with hypertension experienced lower blood pressure after drinking hibiscus tea twice a day for one month.

A 2022 scientific review of 13 studies also found that hibiscus can lower high blood pressure in those with mild to moderate hypertension.

3. Manages Healthy Blood Cholesterol Levels

Like hypertension, high blood cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to a 2019 scientific review, the antioxidants in hibiscus may help lower blood cholesterol levels.

4. Offers Antiviral Properties

A 2020 study found that hibiscus can work against some viruses. According to the researchers, this is related to the polyphenols and anthocyanins in the plant.

A 2019 study notes that hibiscus tea extract has antiviral activities against certain viruses that cause the flu.

5. Reduces High Blood Sugar

Hibiscus has been found to reduce high blood sugar levels.

This is noteworthy because high blood sugar can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

6. Supports Immune Function

Hibiscus is rich in vitamin C, a nutrient that’s essential for healthy immune function. It stimulates white blood cells, which are cells that fight disease-causing germs.

Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, meaning it works against oxidative stress.

RELATED: Simple Homemade Hibiscus Syrup

4 Side Effects of Hibiscus Tea

1. Low Blood Pressure

Studies have found that hibiscus tea may lower blood pressure.

If you’re prone to low blood pressure or taking blood pressure-lowering medications, talk to your doctor before drinking hibiscus tea.

2. Low Blood Sugar

Hibiscus has been shown to lower blood sugar in studies.

If you have low blood sugar or are taking medications that lower blood sugar, ask your doctor if it’s safe to drink hibiscus tea.

3. Allergies

It’s possible to be allergic to hibiscus.

Use caution if you’re allergic to ragweed pollen, chamomile tea, artichoke, banana, watermelon, melons, and zucchini. These plants share allergy-causing proteins with hibiscus.

4. Estrogenic Effects

Hibiscus contains compounds that have estrogenic properties, meaning they have an estrogen-like effect in the body.

If you’re pregnant or have other reproductive health concerns, talk to your doctor before consuming hibiscus tea.

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Hibiscus Loose Tea vs Tea Bags

The more of the whole hibiscus calyces you can see, the better the quality. Loose hibiscus tea is higher quality since you can see the shape of the flower calyces.

Hibiscus tea bags are of lower quality since they’re filled with crushed hibiscus.

Step-by-Step Brewing Instructions

For complete brewing guide, full ingredients, and instructions, scroll to the bottom.

1. Boil water.
   Using anelectric kettle with temperature settingsto boil water for tea makes it easy to get the water temperature just right. Boil more than needed since you want extra to warm up the teapot.
2. Warm up teapot.
   Pour some hot water into theteapotand swirl it around a bit. Discard the water.
3. Put dried hibiscus into the teapot and add hot water. Cover teapot and steep.
4. Strain hibiscus solids and pour hot tea into a teacup.

Tea Sommelier’s Tips

Use good quality water.
The better the water, the better the tea. I recommend using filtered water.

Warm up the teapot.
Warming up the teapot helps to brew the tea properly, keeping the water temperature hot.

Serve it with or without sugar.
Hibiscus tea can be served with or without sugar and hot or iced. If you want to sweeten hot tea, you can use any kind of sweetener.

Adjust as needed.
For a stronger cup of hibiscus tea, add a couple of more minutes to your steep time or add 1/2 teaspoon more of hibiscus.

Herbal teas don’t get bitter like green tea.
Herbal teas like hibiscus are a lot easier to brew than other types of teas since it doesn’t get overly bitter if brewed for more than 5 minutes so don’t worry if it steeps for longer.

Brew it in a glass teapot.
Use a glass teapot to make herbal tea so you can see the pretty herbals in water.

Store it properly.
Hibiscus tea can be brewed and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep it covered or airtight glass container or pitcher.

Loose dried hibiscus and tea sachets should be stored in an airtight containeraway from light, odors, humidity, and heat.

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