Dried hibiscus leaves make a lovely, refreshing Agua De Jamaica or Hibiscus Tea in your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. It's a perfect refreshing drink!
Hibiscus Tea | Agua De Jamaica
Did you know that pressure cooking dried hibiscus leaves make a lovely, refreshing Hibiscus Tea in your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker? And it's super easy to learn how to make Hibiscus tea in your Instant Pot!
Why Did I Make this Agua De Jamaica In The Pressure Cooker?
- Less Acidic. My usual issue with Hibiscus Tea is that it can be slightly acidic.
- Less Bitter. I made Iced tea in the Instant Pot and realized how it reduced bitterness to make it that way, I was fairly sure this method would cut down on the acidity in the Hibiscus Tea recipe as well--and sure enough, it did.
- Beautiful Color. This recipe makes a very deep, red drink. I had to take it out in the sunshine so you could see pink in it.
- Smooth. Making this in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker gives it such a lovely, smooth taste.
- Easy to Strain. Straining it was a breeze. The petals sank to the bottom and all I had to do was pour carefully.
What are the Benefits of Hibiscus Tea?
I have not seen a whole range of scientific studies to support these assertions (just individual studies here and there). But Hibiscus Tea is known to:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces blood sugar
- Improves liver health
- Fights bacteria in the body
How Much Hibiscus Tea Should I Drink Per Day?
If you suffer from low blood sugar or low blood pressure, try not to drink more than 2 cups a day or so. Definitely don't guzzle this whole pot, even though you will want to drink all the deliciousness.
Does It Make You Sleepy?
It is said that hibiscus tea contains a certain level of melatonin which is linked to better sleep. Melatonin helps to calm the mind and relax the body which, in turn, usually makes a person sleepy. The Journal of Nutrition states that it could take up to three cups a day of hibiscus tea for it to work effectively for sleepiness and even blood pressure reduction.
Useful Information About This Recipe
First things first. Do not pronounce this like "Jamaica" as in the country. The "J" is pronounced as an "H" - "Hamaika."
Is This Really Tea?
While it's called a tea, it's more accurately a tisane--made from steeping dried flowers. I won't call it Tisane since I'm not a Victorian lady, but I do want you to know that little cultural tidbit about hibiscus tea.
So, what this means is that you must use dried hibiscus flowers for it. No point going to your yard in Florida, picking off a fresh hibiscus flower and then writing to me to complain how awful your tea was! Use THIS LINK to get the right flowers for this tea recipe.
Tips and Tricks on How to Make Hibiscus Tea
1. Use dried hibiscus flowers for this tea, which is actually a tisane.
2. If you do not have an Instant Pot, just brew this tea on the stovetop using the same recipe.
3. Feel free to substitute sugar or another sweetener for this recipe if you choose.
4. Add fresh lemon juice at the end for an amazing tang and zip to this drink.
5. Break up a cinnamon stick or use a few pieces of cassia bark for a great flavor in this hibiscus tea.
6. The tea will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. So drink up!
Want To Try More Drink Recipes?
So, if you're looking for a deliciously refreshing drink for the spring, summer, or really any time of year, make this delightful Hibiscus Tea. Simply brew the tea in the Instant Pot and serve it over ice for an unbelievably simple and refreshing beverage!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers
- 64 ounce Water, (2 quarts)
- 1 cup Truvia , or another sweetener
- 1/2 teaspoons Minced Ginger, (optional)
- 1 stick Cinnamon, (optional)
- Lime juice to taste, (optional)
- ice to serve
Instructions
- In the inner liner of your Instant Pot, add all ingredients except lime juice and ice.
- Cook at high pressure for 4 mins, allow 10 mins NPR and then release all pressure.
- The flowers will have settled to the bottom. Decant the liquid into a glass pitcher and when cool, add lime juice if you want a little more acidity.
- This is a semi-concentrate, so serve over ice.
2. If you do not have an Instant Pot, just brew this tea on the stovetop using the same recipe.
3. Feel free to substitute sugar or another sweetener for this recipe if you choose.
4. Add fresh lemon juice at the end for an amazing tang and zip to this drink.
5. Break up a cinnamon stick or use a few pieces of cassia bark for a great flavor in this hibiscus tea.
6. The tea will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. So drink up!
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Nutrition
Originally Published May 13, 2017
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Lucy
How much sugar would you use if you don't want artificial sweeteners?
Rosalie
We love this recipe without the ginger and cinnamon. Keeps in the fridge for 10 days or so. You know it is going off when it starts to get thick. Drink it before that! We add the concentrate then add nearly twice the water, tons of ice as well as fresh lime juice. It’s a very healthy drink that helps keep the wine at bay! I love the instant pot for this recipe as it is so much easier than on the stove where I had been making it before.
Jon
Love the stuff. For the same amount of water I use 2 cups of dry hibiscus then use the concentrate to make both tea as well as to flavor plain nonfat yogurt. Don’t throw the spent flowers away!. Rinse and drain the flowers well to get rid of any grit. Sauté some onions and apples in a little butter or olive oil or both, season with reduced sodium Better than Bullion or just salt, then add the hibiscus and cook for a few minutes. I add a little sugar or erythritol to balance the tartness. It’s a delicious and healthy side dish.
URVASHI PITRE
oh wow! I hadn't even thought of that side dish idea! Love it.
diana
We make a half-gallon of hibiscus tea two or three times a week and drink it straight or with a little squeeze of lime over ice and we love it that way. But this sounds like it would take it to the next level! My daughter has talked often of the Agua de Jamaica that she enjoyed when living in Central America, so I'm going to make this version for her next time she comes!
Linda Loftin
Delicious drink! I learned from my Mexican born son-in-law that this is extremely popular in Mexico. He said his mother made it three times a week when he was gorowing up. He just tasted this recipe and he said it tastes like like the drink his mother makes. It is a great recipe for the Instant Pot. Thank you!
Susan
Very good. It is also very good with some mango flavored rum.
URVASHI PITRE
Oh great idea!