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Comida Latina, Drinks, Recipes

What Are Flor de Jamaica {Hibiscus Flowers}? Plus 10 Hibiscus Recipes

April 12, 2019
10 jamaica flower recipes and tips to introduce you to the tart dried flor de jamaica or hibiscus flower which is a popular ingredient in Mexican cooking. #flordejamaica #hibiscusflowers #driedhibiscus #jamaicaflowers #whattodowithhibiscus #hibiscusrecipes #jamaicarecipes
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Soaked dried hibiscus flowers in a strainer over a bowl with red liquid in the bowl.

Have you tried any jamaica flower recipes before? The dried flor de jamaica or hibiscus blossoms are seemingly everywhere these days….in cocktails, jams, and even as sweetened dried snacks at Trader Joe’s. But dried jamaica flower recipes have been infused in Mexican cuisine forever.

What are Jamaica {Hibiscus} Flowers

  • Jamaica flowers are also called flor de jamaica (pronounced ha-MY-kuh) in Spanish and hibiscus flowers in English and they all refer to the same thing, the dried burgundy-hued petals of the roselle plant or Hibiscus sabdariffa.
  • There are 232 species of hibiscus and not all of them are edible. The ones we eat are very different from the ones we grow for their large blossoms.
  • Interestingly enough, when you buy hibiscus {jamaica} flowers it isn’t really the flower at all but the calyx or sepals of the flower which encloses the petals and forms a protective layer around the bud.

Where Do You Buy Them?

  • The dried jamaica can bought by the pound online.
  • The best prices and quality can be found at your local Latin Market where they are sold in huge bulk bins for next to nothing.
  • When you’re buying dried hibiscus look for whole petals, not cut or broken flowers that are a jumble of stems and leaves.

Other Hibiscus Flower Products

  • Flor de Jamaica Tea (the most popular being Red Zinger)
  • Sweetened and dried Hibiscus Flowers, with the texture and taste of dried cranberries.
  • Candied Jamaica in syrup
  • Jamaica Flower Drink

The Healing Properties of Jamaica Flower Recipes

  • Dried jamaica flowers brewed into tea has been proven to help lower high blood pressure, and cholesterol.
  • The flowers are packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C and are excellent for your liver and digestive systems.
  • The popular Mexican drink, Agua de Jamaica, still has all these properties but is also high in sugar, so if you are going for health benefits it’s best to stick to brewing unsweetened tea.
  • Side effects of hibiscus flowers are minimal but if blood pressure control is a problem for you, or you take medication that may interact with hibiscus tea, consult your doctor.

The Easiest Way To Make Jamaica Tea

  • Give the dried flowers a quick rinse to get rid of any dust or particles.
  • Place one whole dried flower in a cup and pour over hot water. Steep for 5 minutes.
  • By itself the flowers are very tart so sweeten to your liking with honey.

What Else Can Be Made with Flor de Jamaica?

Jamaica flowers go way beyond tea. Let’s check out ten more recipes using this Flor de Jamaica that you should be making right now.


Several cocktail glasses filled with Agua de Jamaica and ice. A lime twist hangs off of two of the glasses.
Classic Agua de Jamaica

A large purple plate with a flan on it. There is a piece missing from the flan and the piece is sitting on a plate next to it.
Flan de Jamaica
An overhead shot of several bottles filled with juices sitting on a white table with champagne flutes and a bucket of ice next to it.
Hibiscus Syrup
A light blue dish with purple cookies in it sitting on a gray table with several colorful spoons in the background.
Strawberry-Hibiscus Cookies
A glass with a red-salted rim and a pineapple wedge in the glass filled with a hibiscus margarita sitting on a wooden cutting board with a lime half.
Pineapple-Hibiscus Margarita
An enchilada covered in a purple sauce sitting on a plate with red onion slices and crumbled cheese on top. The plate in on a colorful table cloth.
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with Jamaica Mole Sauce

Frozen blackberries covered in sugar sitting in a food processor with the blade attached.
Blackberry-Hibiscus Sorbet

A champagne flute sitting on a wooden table with red liquid in it and foam at the top. A white cloth napkin is sitting behind it.
Hibiscus Mimosas

Cooked breakfast sausage links in a pan with tejocotes, sugared cranberries, and red-stained orange slices.
Jamaica-Braised Breakfast Sausage
Dried hibiscus flowers, cinnamon stick, oranges, and other fruits in a large pot with a blue handle.
Flor de Jamaica Mulled Hot Tea

How To Get Out a Jamaica Stain

The only downside to Jamaica flowers is they can really stain your white counter tops and ceramic cups. Here’s a cleaning hack I love to get it out.

One last thing…

What do you think? I want to know! Leave me a comment and snap a photo for Instagram! Tag @holajalapeno so I can see your beautiful creation! Your feedback is super important to me. 

Also, don’t forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of good stuff there too!


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Kate Ramos
Kate Ramos

 

13 Comments

  • Avatar
    Reply Enriqueta E Lemoine April 29, 2019 at 11:17 am

    What a versatile ingredient! I love hibiscus tea, hot and chilled! And Margaritas. And tacos!

  • Avatar
    Reply Veronica April 29, 2019 at 12:21 pm

    He probado margaritas, té y quesadillas. Ahora sumo las delicias de este post a nuestro menú.

    • Avatar
      Reply Kate Ramos May 1, 2019 at 11:30 am

      Que bueno Veronica!!! Espero que le encantan!!

  • Avatar
    Reply Patricia Zerpa April 29, 2019 at 3:13 pm

    Amo el té de Jamaica, puedo tomar jarras enteras. Estoy enamorada de todas las opciones que regalas en este post. Esta genial

    • Avatar
      Reply Kate Ramos May 1, 2019 at 11:29 am

      Gracias Patricia! Espero que puedes probar algunos. 🙂

  • Avatar
    Reply Blanca D April 29, 2019 at 4:12 pm

    I love Jamaica! I haven’t use it in something different than aqua fresca though. But I want to make some tacos.

    • Avatar
      Reply Kate Ramos May 1, 2019 at 11:26 am

      Yes, give it a try in other recipes. The flavor is so good in so many different ways.

  • Avatar
    Reply Deliciosamente light April 29, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    Pega con todas las recetas donde la utilizas.

    • Avatar
      Reply Kate Ramos May 1, 2019 at 11:25 am

      Muchísimas Gracias!!!

  • Avatar
    Reply Vanessa Mota May 2, 2019 at 5:24 pm

    I absolutely ADORE the flavor of flor de Jamaica! and thank you so much for including where to get them!

  • Avatar
    Reply Susan November 10, 2019 at 10:47 pm

    Thanx for the useful and authentic recipee you have share with this article
    it will be surely beneficial for everyone.

    • Avatar
      Reply Kate Ramos December 10, 2019 at 5:01 pm

      That’s great! Thank you!

  • Avatar
    Reply protectivefilms March 11, 2020 at 1:31 am

    It’s such an amazing recipe, Thanks for sharing.

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