Looking for a refreshing Kombucha drink with floral notes? If yes, then this hibiscus tea Kombucha recipe fits the bill. It combines hibiscus tea, which has a floral, sweet, and cranberry-like tart flavor, and unflavored Kombucha which has a tangy tart finish. The result is a Kombucha drink that has a sharp sour taste and subtle floral and sweet savor. It also has a bright pinkish/red color that is very appealing to the eye. Moreover, it doesn’t require a lot of preparations, and the ingredients are cost-effective.
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Health Benefits
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a healthy herbal tea that benefits the body in many ways. It is loaded with antioxidants that can fight cell damage and diseases caused by free radicals. Drinking hibiscus tea regularly has also shown positive effects in lowering blood pressure, fighting bacteria, and losing weight. Hibiscus tea may lower blood fat levels which is a common risk factor for cardiovascular disease as well. Moreover, it may boost liver health, prevent liver damage, and reduce the growth of cancer cells in the mouth prostate, and stomach.
How To Make Hibiscus Tea Kombucha
Hibiscus Tea Kombucha only takes a few minutes to make. Its ingredients are also accessible and cost-effective. The only ingredients that you will need to make this health-boosting beverage are dried hibiscus flowers and Kombucha which has finished its first fermentation.
Kombucha is a healthy fermented beverage that mainly undergoes two fermentation processes namely first fermentation (F1) and second fermentation (F2). During the first fermentation, the sweet tea is converted to Kombucha by the Kombucha culture or SCOBY. After completing the first fermentation, Kombucha undergoes second fermentation for flavoring and carbonation. If you haven’t done second fermentation at home before, feel free to learn more about it in our complete guide here.
Hibiscus Tea Kombucha Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Homebrewing kit This is for 1st fermentation
- 1 Heating mat This is for 1st fermentation
- 1 Boochsleeve This is for 1st fermentation
- 1 Bottlebrush kit To clean your bottles
- 6 Bottles (16 oz.) or 2 Growlers (½ gallon)
- 1 Funnel For the 2nd fermentation process
- 1 Mesh strain colander For the 2nd fermentation process
- 1 PBW cleaner To clean your bottles
Ingredients
- 1 gal Kombucha
- 6 tsp Dried hibiscus flowers ($0.78 per oz.)
Instructions
- Clean your bottlesDilute the PBW cleaner according to the productinstructions. Scrub your bottles with your bottlebrush kit and diluted cleaner.Rinse and dry your bottles thoroughly before adding any ingredients.
- Add dried hibiscus flowers to each bottle. Add 1 tsp. of hibiscus flowers to each bottle. If you want astronger hibiscus flavor, you can add an extra ½ to 1 tsp. of hibiscus flowers.
- Fill your bottle with Kombucha liquid Pour the Kombucha liquid slowly into the bottle to avoidmess. You may strain the excess yeast of the Kombucha liquid before bottlingusing a mesh strain colander or a smaller sieve. Remember to leave about ½ to 1inch of headspace in your bottles to achieve good carbonation. Set aside theremaining Kombucha liquid and use it as a starter tea on your next brew.
- Ferment Shut your bottles tightly to ensure good carbonationbuildup. Make sure to keep your bottled Kombucha in a fermentation station thathas room temperature between 60℉ to 85℉. Allow yourbrew to ferment for 3 to 14 days depending on the carbonation and yourpreferred taste. If you are having trouble maintaining the warm temperature foryour ferments, you may use a heating mat.
- Store your finished Kombucha in the refrigerator Once your bottled Kombucha reaches your preferred tart andfloral flavor, move and keep them in the refrigerator. The cold temperature inthe refrigerator can inhibit the fermentation process and preserve your desiredKombucha flavor for up to three months.
- Serve and enjoy As you serve your bottled Kombucha, you will see floatingresidues from the yeast and the hibiscus flowers. Dried hibiscus flowers aresafe to eat however if these residues make you uncomfortable, feel free tostrain them before serving.
How to level up the taste
Hibiscus tea Kombucha is a tasty Kombucha drink that is perfect to relax and refresh during a long tiring day. It is great to enjoy on its own but if you want more complex flavors, here are some things you can do.
If you want to make the hibiscus tea flavor stronger, you can substitute the black or green tea bags in the first fermentation of Kombucha with dried hibiscus flowers. Here are the detailed steps you can follow to do this.
First, brew your hibiscus tea flowers for 3 to 4 minutes with sugar. Next, let the tea cool down. Then, strain the tea to remove the dried flowers before transferring them to your brewing jar. Finally, combine all ingredients in the brewing jar starting from the sweet hibiscus tea, starter tea, and SCOBY.
Another great way to make this drink extra appealing is by adding fruits that will balance its tart flavor. You can add purees of fruits like strawberry, apple, and blueberry to your bottled Kombucha before fermenting. The result is a fruity floral Kombucha that is perfect for kids and adults. Feel free to add any mashed fruit flavorings to your hibiscus tea Kombucha but remember to not add more than 2 oz. of flavoring in each bottle.
Adding ginger to this drink can also boost its flavor profile and give it a kick of spice. Juices from citrus fruits like orange and lemon can also make hibiscus tea Kombucha tastier and healthier as well.
Featured Product
When it comes to fruity floral Kombucha, the Synergy Organic Kombucha Rose Berry is a must-try. It combines GT’s signature organic and raw Kombucha with sweet strawberries, passionfruit puree, rose water, vanilla extract, woody oak, and fresh hibiscus.
Health-Ade Kombucha features deliciously refreshing flavors of sweet cherry, elderberry, and hibiscus. It is a superfood flavor that is appealing to both newbies and long-term Kombucha drinkers.
This organic Brew Dr. Kombucha Watermelon is a deliciously refreshing beverage that combines watermelon, hibiscus, and green tea. It contains live and active cultures and is made with organic ingredients.
