Hibiscus… a plant of many colours and wonders

In this note, we explore the nutritional benefits of hibiscus, the plant that adds beautiful colours to many gardens in Zambia. 

We begin with a hibiscus leaf recipe by Chinyanta. 

Not only is the recipe delicious, but in these times of confinement and social economic challenges, a hibiscus sauce ‘maflowers’ might fill your stomach and also heal your body!

Recipe: Hibiscus leaves soup (Delele)

Tip

"Taste as you stir to make sure it is soft". 

This dish is best served with nshima, Zambia’s staple food made from maize meal. 

“Don't say ‘umunani tapali’ (there is no garnish*) .... Hibiscus grow everywhere, and some people use them for fencing yards”. “It is the easiest relish to cook. It is also nice when you add pounded groundnuts ukusashila” (cooked in peanut flour*), she recommended. 

Hibiscus in Zambia

In Zambia, the hibiscus plant is grown mostly as shrubs and hedges in residential neighbourhoods, but also across the country. They make thick hedges and their big bright showy flowers make decorative additions to fences and gardens! Moreover, hibiscus is an edible plant whose leaves cooked with tomato and bi-carbonate of soda is a great garnish to Zambia’s staple  nshima, (maize meal*).

It is considered an affordable vegetable for most of the population. The urban name for the cooked dish is “maflowers”, in reference to the plant’s flamboyant flowers.  The flowers can also be made into infusions/teas that are said to help treat a variety of conditions. 

It is common to see hibiscus leaf and flower enthusiasts and sellers go from yard to yard asking to pick newly bloomed hibiscus leaves from the fences for food or to sell.  

Some of the health benefits of hibiscus leaves

Hibiscus leaves have been used by different cultures as a remedy for several conditions, they are packed with antioxidants and also believed to have properties that can lower blood pressure.

In Zambia, hibiscus soup is one of the traditional remedies used to treat some of the symptoms of chickenpox. It is believed that drinking the soup made from the leaves cooked in water and bi-carbonate of soda helps to quicken the break of the chickenpox, cleanse the poxes internally and bring down the fever. 

Ruby red herbal goodness

Hibiscus tea/juice is made from a mixture of dried hibiscus flowers, leaves, and dark red middle part of the flower. The juice/tea is known to have health benefits such as reducing high cholesterol and inflammatory problems, aid in relieving disturbed digestive and immune systems. The juice/tea is also said to speed up metabolism aiding in healthy weight management, is rich in Vitamin C, contains minerals such as flavonoids and has laxative properties. 

And it tastes delicious!

In certain parts of Africa, weddings are traditionally toasted with a glass of hibiscus juice! In west Africa, frozen hibiscus juice is commonly sold on the street and dried flowers can be found in every market. In Senegal, hibiscus tea, Bissap, is known as the national drink. 

Recipe: Hibiscus flower juice/tea (Bissap)

Courtesy of some years spent in Ivory coast, here is Connie’s Bissap recipe:

Add Ins: You can add some of your favourite flavours to this tea. Basil, lemon grass, lemon zest and mint all taste really nice with hibiscus

About Chinyata

She is the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia to France former First Secretary - Political and a devoted friend of the Zambian-French community. She is passionate about cooking and head chef at Nathecha Catering, her catering service.