Roselle and Hawthorn Tea

Why people make this tea

After a festival or holiday — or really any day when eating has been a little generous — Nourilo turns to this vivid crimson tea to ease the aftermath. Roselle, the brilliant-red tropical flower used in teas from West Africa to Southeast Asia, has a naturally tart, refreshing flavour and is traditionally paired with hawthorn in Cantonese food therapy to help the body process rich, oily meals. The combination is popular because it works on multiple fronts: the tartness stimulates the appetite and digestion, while both herbs are traditionally associated with promoting healthy blood circulation and metabolism. Fresh roselle is available seasonally and dried roselle is an easy substitute, available at Chinese or Asian herb shops and online year-round.