Hibiscus Flowers

Sudan is presently the major producer of Hibiscus flowers [roselle]. Sudanese farmers regard it as a famine food as when drought is expected, farmers prefer to cultivate roselle rather than cereals because of its resistant qualities under adverse conditions. Currently other major exporters after Sudan include Nigeria, Mexico, Thailand and China.

In Sudan, the dry hibiscus calyx is used to produce a flavour some and nutritious drink and dried calyces are used for tea, jelly, marmalade, ices, ice cream, sorbets, and in other desserts. The seeds have also been used as an aphrodisiac and a coffee substitute. Sudanese roselle tea is well known as an pure and natural product and is highly valued for its beneficial antioxidant and other nutritional effects. Tea made from hibiscus flowers is widely exported for use in making a sweet herbal tea, and is also commonly sold on the domestic market and consumed cold as a social soft drink called ‘’karkade’’.