Do you know the Karkadè?
Karkadè, also known as Abyssinian tea or hibiscus tea, is an infusion that is obtained, in fact, from the petals of the red and fragrant flowers of the Hibiscus.
The word karkadè derives from the name karkadeb with which the plant is called in the Tacruri dialect, in Ethiopia. Also called red tea, karkadè is a very popular drink especially in hot countries like Egypt, where it is consumed both hot and cold, as it is very refreshing and thirst-quenching. For this reason, during long journeys, Africans keep a dry flower in their mouth. The drink arrived in Italy in the 18th century thanks to the various Western colonial empires of the time.
It turns out to be thirst-quenching, refreshing and healthy, a perfect ally for your summer. Furthermore, since it does not contain theine or caffeine, it is a valid substitute for tea and can also be drunk in the evening but the secret of this drink is contained in its components:
- flavonoids
- tannins
- vitamin A
- C vitamin
- vitamin D
- soccer
- potassium
- magnesium
It is practically fat-free and contains no cholesterol. The karkadè in fact is prepared as a normal tea or herbal tea or by leaving the hibiscus flowers or the ready-made sachet to infuse, dried in boiling water for about five-minutes and then sweetened to taste. In summer it is allowed to cool and is served with ice cubes and a slice of lemon or lime. It often goes well with lemon balm and mallow.
Here is the recipe for the drink:
Ingredients for 4 people:
- 50 g. by z bird of cane
- 10 leaves of mint
- 1 l. of natural water
- 20 g. of hibiscus flowers
- Put the sugar in a saucepan with 150 ml of water and let it melt over low heat, then turn off the heat. Add about ten mint leaves and leave to cool.
- Put the remaining water (850 ml) in another saucepan and bring it to a boil.
When it boils, turn off the heat and add the hibiscus flowers. Leave to infuse until the water has cooled. Filter everything through a colander and pour into a jug.
Serve cold and decorate with mint and lemon leaves. Add some ice cubes too!