Roselle

[BoltsFan]

Hi everyone. New guy from Charlotte, NC

I just finished listening to Episode 50. I can't believe I've never planted Roselle before.. What a great idea. I grew up in Mexico and a very popular drink is Agua de Jamaica... it's basically Roselle Sweet Tea. I can't wait for this years harvest. Thanks for the idea.



from http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/2192-hibiscus-flower-tea-agua-de-jamaica

2 cups dried hibiscus flowers
8 cups water
3/4 cup sugar or equivalent amount of sugar substitute

Rinse and drain the hibiscus flowers in a colander.

Put them in a saucepan with 4 cups of the water and the sugar.

Stir and bring to a slow boil, lower heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.

The flowers will have lost their color into the water, which will be a deep red color. Let the liquid cool, then strain it into a pitcher.

Discard the flowers.

Add the rest of the water and stir.

Chill thoroughly before serving.

[Jason Akers]

Welcome Bolts Fan and thanks for the recipe for the Roselle drink!

You drank this?  I'm curious about the flavor.  I'm usually not one for growing things I haven't tasted but when I read cranberry and citrus-y I can't help but think I'll love it.

Good luck with it.  I'll let everyone know how my first venture with this goes!

Jason

[BoltsFan]

Yes. I grew up on this stuff. Some of the more authentic Mexican restaurants might have it on the menu. In fact I wonder if any of the Hispanic stores sell it already dried out. Challenge accepted!

Do you know where I can find growing info for it? I am in zone 7a. Thanks.

[Jason Akers]

Here http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/roselle.html is the best place for information on this plant that I found.

Lots of cool stuff with unusual crops at Purdue.

Jason

[Brian Ring]

I am looking forward to your guys results on Roselle.  Not one I will try this year, too many other new crops, but let me know if you find where to buy it.  I would be interested to try it.

[BoltsFan]

Mission accomplished... I found it in the local hispanic market. I will make the sweet tea tonight. I can't believe people pay this much for it... I hope it does well in my area. Flor de Jamiaca wine... 

[Jason Akers]

WOW, now I'll have to try to find some!

Jason

[BoltsFan]

So I made the Agua de Jamaica (Roselle sweet tea). Man is it good! Amazing how a cranberry/citrius taste can be made from flower petals.
Word of warning... This stuff STAINS... wooden spoon, countertop, plastic pitcher all red.

I'll be making the jelly next.
Enjoy!

[Jason Akers]

Oh man, you got me wanting to try making some wine.  I hope this stuff grows for me.

Jason

[heliotropicmoth]

Hey Jason,

I know this thread is old but do you know of a seed source for this plant? And if you tried to grow it, how did it do?

[Jim]

I know I've seen it here:  https://www.nicholsgardennursery.com/store/product-info.php?pid1091.html

[BoltsFan]

I got seeds from Amazon. The Roselle did awesome in my North Carolina humidity.

[heliotropicmoth]

Thanks, it looks like the fruit will not ripen in my growing zone 6a. I may try to grow it for the greens. Have you tried the greens?

[BoltsFan]

I didnt let any of the fruit ripen. I cut the calyces and dried them out. Im going to grow another plant this year and use the dried calyces in a batch of my homebrew and probably a small batch of sweet mead.

[Jason Akers]

Mine never got to flowering stage.  Of course I moved the only plant I retained 300 miles during a drought and heat wave so.... 

It made a lot of greenery.  I never got around to eating any. I was busy trying to get those delicious calyxes.

Jason