Description
Part of the genus of flowering plants in the mallow family of Malvaceae, hibiscus flowers are native to many warm, tropical regions throughout the world.
They are widely renowned for their colorful flowers, which come in many shades and variants. Tropical hibiscus emanates a vibrant shade of red, while rose mallow shows off a gorgeous shade of pink.
When taken care of correctly, hibiscus flowers can live a relatively long life. A perfect ingredient in many cooking recipes, and full of positive health benefits, your possibilities are endless with hibiscus.
Cooking with Hibiscus Flower
Hibiscus flowers have significant health benefits including their ability to treat high blood pressure, fever, and upset stomachs.
This makes them especially great in teas and liquid extracts, but they can also be integrated into everyday cooking recipes.
- Hibiscus Flower Quesadillas: Sautéed with garlic, onions, and various spices, these yummy quesadillas have a tangy taste and smooth texture. It’s a vegetarian’s delight, especially when adding avocado, cilantro, and cheeses.
- Hibiscus Flower Enchiladas: Another south of the border creation, these enchiladas are lifted to new levels of tastiness when you add 1 cup of dried hibiscus flowers to the filling.
- Lemon Cupcakes with Hibiscus Cream Cheese Frosting: Hibiscus adds a nice bit of tartness to the cream cheese frosting, which complements the citrus flavor of the lemon cupcakes quite well. You can also add a decorative touch to the cupcakes by using a 1 tablespoon size cookie spoon onto the center of the cupcake.
History Behind Hibiscus Flower
Although the exact roots of Hibiscus are unknown, it has been grown in spots across Asia including China, Japan, and the Pacific islands for several centuries. In the Pacific islands, they were adorned by women to signify their single status.
There are two white-flowered versions of hibiscus that are native to Hawaii—called Hibiscus arnottianus and Hibiscus waimeae.
Hibiscus was also used as a dye to blacken eyebrows and hair by the Chinese and Indians; this was a practice that would later be passed on to the Arabs and Portuguese.
Where Are Hibiscus Flowers Grown?
There are over 200 species of hibiscus flowers, most of which are grown in tropical areas. One of the most common types of hibiscus plants is the rose mallow; a native to North America, it performs best with full sun exposure and moist soil.
Traditionally, these plants are given less food in October and November, then housed in a cool place (temperatures around 55 degrees Fahrenheit).
Hibiscus plants will survive for a long time, just as long as they are cared for properly.
Where Burma Spice Gets Their Hibiscus Flowers
Burma Spice gets their hibiscus flowers from right here in North America. Since these plants are so easy to cultivate in most areas, we simplify matters by having the process done right here at home.
Although it can take time for the plants to start emerging, it is well worth the wait. At Burma, we believe that getting the cultivation process 100% correct is the only way to go. Order your hibiscus flowers today!
