More broadly, roselle is used in food preparation, animal feed and traditional medicine. It’s the calyx of the plant, the part of the flower that protects the petals, that are best for use in ...

From sorbet and salad dressing to tea, there are many ways to use the hibiscus flower as a vibrant ingredient.The hibiscus flower is enjoying increasing popularity as an ingredient in teas, libations, ...

The flowers only last a single day, usually opening early in the morning and closing by noon. The blooms open toward the end of a branch opening successively leaving behind a deep red pointed calyx.

It’s not just any hibiscus, though. And it’s not the petals that are steeped, but instead the ruby-red calyxes that hold the flowers. Hibiscus Roselle, also known as Flor de Jamaica, is the ...

A little botany 101: In most plants, the calyx is green; but in hibiscus, it’s a deep ruby red, which brightens up cocktails, giving them a hot-pink hue without any artificial dyes.

And if ever a flower was suited to our hyper-visual moment, it is hibiscus. Rather than remain a potted plant on the patios of grandparents, it has been adopted by the young and social media-savvy.

The best time to harvest is after the flowers fall off but before the calyxes dry out, says Franzo. First, pull the calyx from the stem and remove the hard green seed pod from inside the calyx.