I was recently introduced to a delicious drink made from hibiscus flowers.

My boyfriend’s sister and brother-in-law brought back dried hibiscus sepals (the leafy things under the flower petals) from their recent trip to Niger, West Africa.  Hibiscus tea, called bissap, is a very popular drink in Niger.  You buy the leaves in the market, where they are piled high on a piece of burlap, and you pay per scoop.  Because these hibiscus sepals come from the middle of the market, at times you discover mystery items in with the dried flowers…twigs, gravel, etc.

Bissap is very easy to make.  First, boil water and add the dried sepals (approximately 1-2 cups of leaves per quart of water).  Let the mixture boil for a while (the longer it boils, the stronger it gets).  When it’s strong enough for your liking (and is a nice deep color), remove from the heat and add sugar (to taste – I don’t like very sweet drinks).  You can also add ginger to give it some extra zing.  Bissap can be served hot or cold (in West Africa it’s generally served cold, but I’d love a big mug of warm bissap in front of a fire).

I did a quick search and found that you can purchase the dried tea leaves online!

Hope you have a blessed, relaxing and inspiring weekend.

till Monday,

Rebecca

P.S. Thanks, Victoria, for featuring my antler photobooth!!!