Baguitchi (Bissau-Guinean Hibiscus Tea)
In short: Dried red hibiscus flowers steeped into a tart, ruby-colored herbal tea, sweetened and served hot or well chilled. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 60 kcal
Baguitchi is the Kriol name for hibiscus, and in Guinea-Bissau the red flowers are brewed into a tart, refreshing herbal tea. The petals give a deep ruby color and a cranberry-like sharpness, balanced with sugar and lime. It is drunk hot or chilled, and it is caffeine-free. Dried hibiscus flowers are sold in many shops and online, sometimes as sorrel or bissap.
Instructions
- Rinse the dried hibiscus flowers in a strainer under cold water.
- Bring the water to a boil in a pot. Add the flowers, turn off the heat, cover and steep for 20 minutes, until the liquid is deep red.
- Strain the tea into a pitcher, pressing the flowers with a spoon to extract all the color.
- Stir in the sugar until dissolved. Add the lime juice, then taste and adjust the sweetness.
- Serve hot, or chill for at least 2 hours and serve over ice, with mint leaves if you like.
Tips
- Do not steep for longer than 30 minutes, or the tea turns bitter and over-tart. A second steeping of the same flowers gives a lighter, milder tea.
- Add a few slices of fresh ginger to the pot for a warmer flavor, or use brown sugar instead of white for a deeper sweetness.
Questions and answers
Is hibiscus tea caffeinated?
No, it is a herbal infusion made from flowers, so it contains no caffeine. It is tart and fruity, a little like cranberry juice.
How long does baguitchi keep?
Keep it covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. The color stays vivid, and the flavor mellows slightly with time.
What is the difference between hibiscus tea and bissap?
They are very close. Both are made from dried red hibiscus flowers, and the names vary by region. Some versions add mint, ginger or fruit flavors.
How long does it take to make Baguitchi (Bissau-Guinean Hibiscus Tea)?
About 10 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Baguitchi (Bissau-Guinean Hibiscus Tea)?
About 60 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 16 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 60 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
