Our Desert Hibiscus is zingy, fruity, vibrant and tart and is at home in sweet and savory dishes alike. This finely milled, easy-to-use powder brings the gorgeous magenta color and bright, mildly astringent tartness of hibiscus to all sorts of baked goods, drinks, infusions and even rubs for meat and vegetables.
Hibiscus is one of the world's most beloved ingredients, used in virtually every tropical cuisine, and Fayoum, Egypt, has been a center for the cultivation of spices for thousands of years. The calyxes of the hibiscus flower have been used to make tart, pink drinks for as long as anyone can remember.
Hibiscus is an edible bright red flower that grows from plants that grow to 3-6 feet in height. Once harvested, the flowers are laid out to dry under the desert sun for up to three days. It's perfect in a simple syrup, stirred into muffin batter or strawberry pie, or as a tropical-tasting substitution for sumac in savory dishes. Just a shake of this brilliant powder brings brightness and lightness to everything it touches!
Fayoum Oasis, Egypt
Sorrel, flor de Jamaica
Sun-dried, then ground
Hibiscus flower petals (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Pomegranate • Rose Hips • Lambrusco
COOKING
- Steep in hot water to make tea
- Add powder to muffins, scones or cookies
- Infused in equal parts water and sugar for a gorgeous simple syrup
- Add to rubs for a tart, bright note
- Fruit Crisp with Hibiscus
- One Syrup, 3 Drinks
SOURCING
Our Desert Hibiscus is grown by an extended family of farmers in an ancient agricultural community in central Egypt, on the Nile River floodplain, where spices have been cultivated for many, many years.
We connected with the farmers through our partnership with Zaid of Norwich Meadows Farm. Every year, Zaid works with a crew of highly skilled Egyptian farmers who come to his farm in upstate New York to grow organic vegetables using a specific system of high tunnels and intercropping. The vegetables that Zaid grows with this group of farmers are stunning, and these same farmers have their own farms in Egypt, where they grow ancient varietals of desert-adapted spices that rely on seasonal flooding from the Nile River as the primary source of water. Their farms are the source of this and our other Egyptian spices.
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Yum
So delicious! Makes the best tea ever! Especially refreshing during these hot summer days.
United StatesHibiscus
Having some trouble figuring out how to use it.
United StatesYummy sumac and hibiscus powder
Amazing spices. I’ll come back for more!
United StatesDesert Hibiscus
I opened this up and smelled it shortly after I received it and thought this would be great in salads and was it ever. I'm using it in all types of salads and it also is yummy in a fruit salad. My company raved about the salad and that was all it took. I will use it in ice tea and some fruit dessets as well. Wonderful spice!
United StatesDesert Hibiscus
Vibrant unique flavor, would definitely buy again