Jamaica Flower

The Hibiscus Sabdariffa although referred to as Jamaica flower, is actually more often known as hibiscus calyxes, the cover over the blossoms before they open. This Jamaica flower is used in Mexico for a spicy deep red “cooler” or drink called the Aqua de Jamaica. Other names of this Jamaica flower include “Roselle”, “Jamaica Sorrel”, “Flores de Jamaica”, or “Hibiscus Flowers”.

The Jamaica flower is a native from India to Malaysia and is presently widely grown all through the tropics and subtropics. The flower is about eight to ten centimeters in width and has a white to pale yellow with dark red spot color at the base of each petal. It also has a fat fleshy calyx at the base starting from one to two centimeters wide and enlarging to three or three and a half centimeters with fleshy and bright red color as the fruit matures. It is a yearly plant that takes about six months to mature.

The Jamaica flower can be bought in nearly all Mexican grocery stores and markets as well as health food shops. Always choose a Jamaica flower with deep red color and avoid the older faded flowers, and store them in a container with a tight fitting lid or zip lock bag in a cool, dry place for up to a year.

A Jamaica flower as well as its leaves is used medicinally in Mexico, Africa, and India. A variety of combinations are used as choleretic, febrifugal, diuretic, and hypotensive. An animal study has shown that an extract made from the Jamaica flower decreased the absorption rate of alcohol and a similar mixture is used in Guatemala as a hangover cure. In addition, it has been used as a lotion for wounds and sores.

Other uses of the Jamaica flower include fountain drinks such as tea, and as a mild diuretic. With the coming of US interest in south-of-the-border cuisines, the calyces of this Jamaica flower has been exported and sold in bags labeled “Flor de Jamaica”, and have been used in making tea that is rich in vitamin C and particularly good for people who have a problem with water retention.

However, the most famous of all the uses of this Jamaica flower is the Jamaica drink called Agua de Jamaica specifically popular in Mexico as well. The drink is made of the calyces of the flower and is one of the several affordable, healthy, and refreshing drinks naturally made from fresh juices or extracts of the flower. The drink is set by steeping the calyces in boiling water, straining the concoction, pressing the calyces to juice it out and adding sugar, stirring, and serving it chilled.

This Jamaica flower is just as diverse as the island itself, don’t miss out on taking a sip of this famous Jamaica drink when you’re in the island to really get a taste of Jamaica.