Submitted by Linda Muth


Flor de jamaica - Rosa de jamaica - Te de jamaica - Frozen de jamaica...

Jamaica (pronounced huh-my-kuh) means "hibiscus,"


However it is written on the menu, I order it.  Hot. Cold. Frozen.  You can order it by the pitcher at Pizza Hut and Pollo Campero.  At fancy restaurants it is served in big goblets, and with its deep red color you might mistake it for a glass of robust burgundy. 


You can buy jamaica at the Super - crushed in tea bags or as whole dried flowers in big plastic bags.  You can often find the dried flowers in small markets and artisan shops.  I almost always have a pitcher of it in my fridge. 


Nutritionally speaking, hibiscus tea contains important vitamins and minerals (A, B1, C, E and iron).  Salvadoran grandmothers will tell you it is good for your kidneys, digestion, your liver and helps to lower your blood pressure.  These are important health benefits, but I drink it because I like it.  I recently added a new twist to my hibiscus tea after I made boiled plantains.  I think my grandma would be very proud of me for this excellent use of resources. In the US, Rosa or Flor de Jamaica is available at markets that feature foods from Latina cultures.  Many supermarkets also carry the flowers or tea bags.


Boiled Plantains with CinnamonFill a pot with water, enough so your plantains, once cut, can swim around freely. Add one large or two small sticks of cinnamon.Bring water to a boil.Peel and cut 1-3 large plantains cross-ways into chunks about 1 1/2" long.Drop the plantain chunks into the water.  Boil until very tender, but not so long that they lose their shape.Scoop the plantains out of the water, and enjoy eating them!  Sprinkle a touch of brown sugar or raw sugar over them if they are not sweet enough for your taste.Save the water, and let it cool.

Hibiscus TeaPlace about 1 cup (2 handfuls) rosas de jamaica (hibiscus roses/hibiscus flowers) in a glass jar that has a tight-fitting lid (1.5 liters)  Add a few extra if your jar is bigger.(To make this with tea bags, toss about 8-10 tea bags into the jar, depending on the size.)Pour the cooled plantain liquid with cinnamon into the jar.Add water until the jar is full.  Put on the lid.


Set the jar out in a sunny spot.  (I put mine out in the morning before I head out for the day, and take it in at night when I get back.  A couple of hours in the sun should be sufficient - in El Salvador, anyway.)

I usually enjoy my first cup warm.  If the tea seems too tart for your taste, add sugar to the whole batch while it is warm.  I do not add any extra sugar to mine.




You can strain the tea, but I find it easier just to dump the tea, flowers and cinnamon all into a plastic pitcher that has a lid with a little strainer, and just pop the whole thing into the fridge.

Chill.  The tea keeps fine for a week, probably longer, but I always drink it up in a few days.

Enjoy!  

Red Clover Tea

When the red clover plants came up next to the chive plants, we decided to encourage the clover to grow and produce flowers.  Red clover is a wonderful attractor for pollinators, and the flowers also can be used to to brew tea.

Fresh flowers can be used immediately, or the flowers can be dried to use later on.  Gently wash the flowers or brush off any dirt or insects.  Remove leaves (some people use the leaves, but they have quite a bitter taste).  Red clover can be used on its own, but we like to combine it with other garden herbs or mix it with green tea to create a tasty and healthy beverage.

Place 10-12 clover flowers into a coffee press or tea pot (you can use a strainer later to remove the flowers and herbs).  Add a big handful of fresh or dried mint.  Spearmint, peppermint or lemon mint work well.  Pour 4 cups of boiling water over the herbs.  Allow to steep 4 to 5 minutes.  Add lemon and honey to taste.

As with any herb, it is important to consult with your medical professionals to make sure that the effects of the herb do not interfere with medications which you may be taking or do not worsen a condition you may have.  As with all things, moderation is advised.  Many women in our community have found that red clover tea can help with symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes.  Some people also believe that red clover tea can help to prevent cancer and lower cholesterol.

Red clover tea - a healthy and tasty warm beverage option!

(To make ice tea, use a couple of extra flowers and brew for a longer time.  This tea drinker prefers red clover tea warm.)

Herbs available at our free farm stand