Roselle, Apple and Raisin Honey Tea

Why people make this tea

Fresh roselle — those brilliant deep-red calyces that look almost too beautiful to cook — brings both colour and function to this simple tea. Nourilo’s favourite combination is straightforward: roselle, fresh apple, raisins and a drizzle of honey. The result is a tea with a vivid ruby colour, a pleasant fruity tartness, and a long tradition of uses in Chinese food medicine — from supporting healthy blood lipids and blood pressure to improving the appearance of the skin with regular use. Dried roselle works equally well when fresh is not available, and is readily found at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online.

The science behind roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) has attracted considerable modern research attention, particularly around anthocyanins and organic acids that may support cardiovascular health. Nourilo doesn’t need the science to validate what generations of families already knew — but it is reassuring that the two bodies of knowledge point in the same direction.