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

You may have tried Agua de Jamaica at your favorite Mexican restaurant but there’s so much more you can make with dried hibiscus flowers. Check out these 10 Flor de Jamaica, or dried hibiscus flower recipes! Plus tips to introduce you to the tart dried jamaica flower which is a popular ingredient in Mexican recipes.

First posted April 12, 2019. Last updated May 30, 2022.

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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 Mexico 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.

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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

• Hibiscus 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

What Are The Benefits of Flor de Jamaica?

Dried jamaica flowers brewed into tea has been proven to help lower blood pressure, and cholesterol.

The flowers are packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C and are excellent for your liver and digestive systems. Flor de jamaica (hibiscus) is also a natural diuretic and helps to reduce bloating.

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

1. Give the dried flowers a quick rinse to get rid of any dust or particles.
2. Place one whole dried flower in a cup and pour over hot water. Steep for 5 minutes.
3. By itself the flowers are very tart. People’s preferences vary, so sweeten to your liking with honey.
4. To make a pitcher of iced tea, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup honey (or more to taste) and 1/4 cup jamaica flowers. Let cool, strain out the flowers and serve over ice.

What Else Can Be Made with Flor de Jamaica?

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

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1. Agua de Jamaica {Jamaica Water}

The most popular way to enjoy hibiscus and second to horchata as the most popular agua fresca. Simply stir together three quarts of water with 1 cup sugar and steep with the flor de jamaica. Pour through a strainer and chill in the fridge! Add cinnamon or ginger if you’d like. I personally like a squeeze of lime juice.

2. Easy Chamoy Sauce

The total time it takes to make this recipe is 20 minutes! That’s it. It is so easy to make at home with jamaica flowers, dried fruit, chiles, and lime. This sweet, salty, sour, spicy sauce is an explosion of flavor and completely addictive. Drizzle over fresh fruit, rim your cocktail glass, heck, eat it with a spoon! I guarantee you’ll find a million and one reasons to make this sauce. Vegan and gluten-free!

3. strawberry hibiscus Palomas

This Strawberry Hibiscus Paloma is the essence of summer: Fresh grapefruit juice, floral hibiscus syrup, fragrant strawberries, lime juice, and tequila.

4. Strawberry-Jamaica Shortbread Cookies

Nothing says spring like these seductively purple Strawberry Hibiscus Cookies. They sound sophisticated but they are really just a simple slice-and-bake. Keep a roll of dough in the fridge for all of spring’s celebrations.

5. Pineapple Jamaica Margarita

This Pineapple Hibiscus Margarita is made with fresh pineapple puree, organic blanco tequila, and hibiscus syrup. Perfect to celebrate any occasion!

6. Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with Jamaica Mole Sauce

Creamy chicken enchiladas covered with a dried hibiscus or jamaica mole sauce. A celebratory recipe for your whole family will love. Top with fresh chopped cilantro!

7. Spicy Salsa Macha

Spicy Salsa Macha with chiles de arbol, black sesame seeds, peanuts, and dried hibiscus flowers. Completely adaptable, this oil-based Mexican salsa is rich, flavorful, tangy, spicy, perfect for drizzling over everything from avocado toast to eggs to quesadillas!

8. Poinsettia Cocktail {Jamaica Mimosas}

Poinsettia Cocktail: Champagne and homemade hibiscus syrup. Make your own Hibiscus Mimosa kit by adding and sweet treats and then wrap it all up in an ice bucket. Makes a lovely hostess gift for ladies who brunch.

9. Jamaica-Braised Breakfast Sausage

Jamaica-Braised Breakfast Sausage takes sausage links and braises them in flor de jamaica, guava, and tamarind, coating them in a sweetness and warm spices.

10. Ponche Navideño {Mexican Mulled Fruit Punch}

This mulled tropical fruit punch will warm you with flavors of guava, citrus, and hibiscus add tamarindo too if you like. Serve it without alcohol or add a touch of brandy or añejo tequila to each cup! 

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other mexican ingredients to explore!

• 12 Jicama Recipes To Get Our Crunch On
• 9 Tomatillo Recipes (That Aren’t All Salsa!)
• Inside A Mexican-American Pantry—The Ultimate Guide
• How To Make Corn Tortillas
• What is Cotija Cheese? Plus 20 Delicious Recipes
• 11 Delicious Ways To Use Tajín
• The 5 Best Habanero Recipes

Jamaica. It’s not a trend it’s a lifestyle

If you aren’t already in love with flor de jamaica, you’re about to be. Give these recipes a try and let me know what you make by snapping a pic and tagging me on Instagram @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno so I can see or leave me a comment below! Also, sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of good stuff there too!

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