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The African Gourmet: Folktales, Cuisine & Cultural History

Explore Africa’s Heritage

Explore tales that carry Africa’s wisdom, courage, and humor. From river spirits to trickster animals, every story holds a lesson.

From hearty stews to fragrant grains, experience traditional African recipes and the history behind every dish.

Ancient African proverbs and modern interpretations — explore the wisdom passed down through generations.

Dive into Africa’s kingdoms, independence stories, and modern milestones that shape the continent today.

Egyptian Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea or Karkaday in Egypt is a red hibiscus flower tea high in vitamin C. The hibiscus plant flower is used to make the tea by steeping dried hibiscus flowers.

How to make Hibiscus tea,  you might ask, well just brew like regular tea. Tea made of hibiscus flowers has many health benefits and is known by many names in Africa, bissap in Senegal, and in Ghana, soobolo.
Egyptian Karkaday Hibiscus Tea Recipe


Egyptian Karkaday Hibiscus Tea Recipe

Ingredients
½ cup dried hibiscus flowers
3 cups high-quality water
Sugar optional

Directions
In a pot that has a tea diffuser add dried hibiscus. Pour water over the hibiscus. Wait for the hibiscus to infuse turning a beautiful red color, the time depends on your taste, longer brews for a richer taste, shorter for a lighter taste.

How to dry Roselle hibiscus flowers to drink and eat

About drying roselle hibiscus flowers.

Roselle or Hibiscus sabdariffa is a species of Hibiscus that have have edible calyxes that can be dried and used for tea. To dry hibiscus flowers first clip off the flowers. Remove the petals from the calyxes and spread out to dry on a rack and place in indirect sunlight. You can also use a dehydrator to dry the calyxes. When they are completely dry, remove the seeds from the inside of each calyx and store in a cool dry place. 

More economical easy lunch and dinner recipes to make right now so you never have to eat or prepare a boring meal again.

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African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The African Gourmet blog about?

The African Gourmet explores African food, history, and culture through recipes, folktales, and proverbs written for curious readers worldwide.

Who writes The African Gourmet?

The blog is written and curated by Ivy, a lifelong historian and storyteller who highlights Africa’s culinary and cultural richness.

How can I find African recipes on this site?

Use the “African Recipes” category or explore posts like African Recipes for regional dishes and ingredients.

Can I share or reprint your articles?

You may share articles with attribution and a link back to The African Gourmet. Reprinting in print or commercial use requires permission.

Where can I learn more about African proverbs and folklore?

Explore our African Proverbs and African Folktales sections for timeless wisdom and stories.

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African Culture and traditions