This berry hibiscus smoothie is the best recipe for the heat. Tangy but refreshing, the chocolate can lead to an enhanced flavour. Recently, various uses of hibiscus are taking up in the beauty industry. There are certain claims that hibiscus in combination with shea moisture butter and coconuts creates enhanced skin care products. This versality of hibiscus makes it the perfect household keep-around. The same hibiscus powder that is used in smoothies can also be used to make luxurious skin care products.
Hibiscus in Africa
In Africa and the carribean, hibiscus is usedto create a ruby colored drink called sorrel. But while sorrel is commonly associated with Jamaica in diaspora, it is a staple street drink called ‘zobo’, bissap in Senegal and sobolo in Ghana. It is usually served cold with ice – but this is due to the tropical weather rather than preference. As ‘Zobo’ or ‘Sobolo’, most use a sweetener like simple syrup, brown or cane sugar, or honey; some brew it with aromatics and spices like cloves, ginger, cinnamon, star anise, nutmeg, vanilla, or mint. And to elevate this drink, others add a citrus boost of lemon, lime, or orange. No matter the version, this family of aromatic drinks all begins with the Hibiscus sabdariffa, often called roselle, a plant indigenous to continental Africa that now flourishes in tropical regions of the Western hemisphere.
Where to buy Hibiscus Powder
Hibiscus powder is currently sold as consumer goods in the UK, US, EU, Australia and Canada. The links below will get you a bag of hibiscus powder based on your location.
- UK and EU : Buy Aduna Hibiscus Powder
- US and Canada: Buy Hibiscus Powder
This brings us back to this delicious berry hibiscus smoothies. Smoothies are the ultimate meals for anyone looking to drink their breakfast and hibiscus just adds a little zazz to your smoothie kit. Whether you blend hibiscus with bananas, greens or berries, it produces a rich tangy flavour. Top that bad boy with some chocolate and you are in for a real treat.
To this recipe, I added some oats to thicken it up and some ice cream as medicine for the heat (#heatwavelondon2022). You can use bananas instead of the ice cream fora healthier option.
Berry Hibiscus (West African Zobo) Smoothie
🥢 Equipment
- 1 Smoothie Blender
🍜 Ingredients
- 4 Scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
- 2 tbsp Hibiscus Powder
- 2 Cups Almond Milk
- 1 tbsp chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup oats
- 5-10 Blackberries Frozen
🍰 Instructions
- Keep some chocolate chips aside for the topping
- In a smoothie blender, add all the ingredients. Add more milk if too thick or more ice cream if too thin.4 Scoops Vanilla Ice Cream, 2 Cups Almond Milk, 1 tbsp chocolate chips, 1/2 cup oats, 2 tbsp Hibiscus Powder
- Blend until smooth.
- Serve cold in a tall glass
