As I sip my tea, I think back to this past spring. A friend planted cranberry hibiscus plants in my garden. I didn't realize at the time how important this plant would be. It definitely helps reduce my blood sugar.
It is a beautiful plant that is magenta with maple shaped leaves. It grows to about six foot tall. It took up so much room in the garden. At first, I resented the loss of the space in my garden until I got a taste of it. These young cranberry hibiscus leaves have a delicious lemon flavor that makes for a nice summer salad. They also have the added benefits of...
Having anti-cancer properties.
Improving heart health.
Having anti-bacterial properties.
Being full of antioxidants.
Improving cholesterol levels, especially in diabetics.
Helping reduce high blood pressure.
Source: "Hibiscus: Health Benefits, Nutrients, and Uses
Nourish by WebMD 11/07/20
While these plants were producing an abundant amount of leaves, I decided to dry some of them for tea. I'm so glad I did. Now I make a nice Cocoa Cranberry Hibiscus Tea...
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried cranberry hibiscus leaves
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder
Directions:
In a a small food processor, pulse the hibiscus leaves until they are small enough for a loose leaf tea strainer.
Place the leaves in an air tight jar with the cinnamon and cocoa. Shake to mix.
Place the mix in a tea strainer and seep in hot water for 2 minutes.
Add 10 drops of 50/50 mix liquid stevia and low sugar vanilla extract
*** To enrich the flavor, add a teaspoon of butter and heavy whipping cream.
Before it started to freeze, my friend pulled up some of these plants in an attempt to keep them through the winter. They are tropical plants and need the warmth. In December, I got to see one of the small beautiful pink flowers. It looks like a miniature version of the regular hibiscus with red veins in the bloom. It's winter now and the tropical plant needed more sunlight than my windows provide, or it needed a bigger pot. Unfortunately, it is just about gone. I really miss being able to dry those leaves. I'm sitting here enjoying the last of my tea. I guess I'll just have to go start a new seedling inside for an early spring transplant to the garden. In the mean time, I'm going to try Tiesta brand tea loose leaf Cranberry Hibiscus Rooibos Tea and add the cocoa powder and cinnamon until I can grow another plant. I hope you enjoy! Please comment, like, share, and come back next week for more recipes, ideas, and tips. Subscribe to the website, if you would like weekly email reminders to add to your recipe book.
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Disclaimer: This is not medical advice, but a compilation of research from medical sites. Make sure to see your doctor and have up to date lab work.
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