Hibiscus Iced Tea

I have always liked hibiscus tea.  I am a huge fan of Starbuck's/Tazo's Passion Tea.When my friend Barb went to Guinea Africa she brought me dried hibiscus flowers to make some iced tea.  I had never made tea that way and was excited to try it.  I immediately loved it. I never went and searched for the dried flowers again, but always hoped some day to find some.  Then this week while visiting my sister in WA, I found dried hibiscus for $5.99 a lb at Chuck's grocery store.  Thrilled I bought a pound.  Now, setting out to remember how to make it, I reviewed some things on line, and made my own recipe and I very pleased with the flavor!!!  Some may like it sweeter, or with a lime squeezed in- but I like it just the way I described it below....

steeping the flowers 15 minutes, then straining into a bowl.  Or if you have another pitcher, that would work too.
I throw out the hibiscus into the garden, they are good for compost.  I have tried to make a second batch of iced tea with the already used flowers, but it does not work.Look at that color!! It is gorgeous!

Look at these beautiful dried flowers!!  And they smell so good too.

Note- this is two cups of dried hibiscus photoed, I decided not to double, but to go one and half.  So, this photo is wrong- I ended up taking out a half cup.



Hibiscus Iced Tea

Makes 2 quart

• 1 cup (15 grams) dried hibiscus flowers
• 8 cups boiling water
• Ice
• 1/2 cup sugar

I took the recipe one and a half times.  I brought 12 cups of water to a boil, and poured it over 1 1/2 cups of hibiscus flowers for 15 minutes.  Add sugar as you like it, but add when the water is warm. (I don't add much sugar, so I still only put in a 1/2 cup).  Strain into a container and add ice.


*note- I added some lemon sparkling water to my second cup.  I liked the flavor and the fizz.  So, that is another option too.  Make it 3/4 tea and 1/4 sparkling lemon water.

There are many benefits of hibiscus- see this article   https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/beverage/hibiscus-tea.html  

Tea Chai Te Portland, Bubble Tea

https://www.teachaite.com/

Visiting my sister in WA. We headed to Portland, one of my favorite places to visit.  I love Tea Chai Te!!  I have been to the Sellwood location twice and have had wonderful bubble tea.  I also got a great Coconut Oolong from them- they shipped it to me.  I am a huge fan of the atmosphere/vibe and tea they have.
Today I got an amazing Lavender bubble tea- so good and refreshing!

I picked up some Lavender Earl Grey too.  Last year I visited a tea shop with my sister and I had a lavender earl grey and it was delicious - so, I decided to give this one a try too.

This is me in my happy place!!!

Stop in visit them!!  If you like tea, you will not regret it.  they have lots of variety and you can sniff away and see what is your cup of tea.

Tea Bar, Portland

http://www.teabarpdx.com/

While visiting my sister and her family in WA.  My niece suggested we go to the Tea Bar, since I love bubble tea.  We spontaneously jumped in the car and headed to Portland.  I was excited to drink out of the fun Mason Jars.

Picking out our tea

My bubble tea is being made.  If you have followed my blog for any amount of time, you may know my flavor choice.  If not, I'll tell you it was Lavender.  

The gal working was SUPER friendly and helpful.  She answered all our questions and was very kind.  She made suggestions and I was very pleased with the service.

I am a huge fan of Lavender Bubble Tea.  This was sooo good.  I was very pleased with the tea and the taste of the "bubbles",   We were disappointed though, that we did not get Mason jars.  The place closed at 8, and we got there around 7:20, so we thought maybe they did not want to have to wash them :)

I enjoyed my tea 16 oz, for $5.00.  My niece got a Lavender lemonade, but she said it was a bit bitter.  

My sister said her tea was good, pricey, but good.

Cute place.