How to Make Healthy Zobo Drink
If Nigeria was to have a National drink, it would definitely be Zobo. This is one drink that is known in all states across the federation and equally enjoyed by many.
Though the name varies in different region, it is popularly known as “Zobo”
Zobo goes by numerous names in different nations; its botanical name is Hibiscus sabdariffa. It is Ishapa pupa among the Yorubas, Yakuwa in Hausa, and some areas of northern Nigeria Zobo or Zoborodo, Roselle or Rosella fruit in areas of Jamaica and Australia, Sorrel, Karkadeh in Arabic, and other names.
Zobo has been proven to be rich in nutritional value because of it vitamin, antioxidant, and mineral content.
So, why is the drink so popular? This is because of its excellent health advantages and pleasant taste.
This natural drinks is high in vitamin C. This vitamin strengthens and promotes the immune system in humans.
It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities.
It helps relieve menstruation discomfort and cramps.
When drank on a regular basis without any additives, hibiscus flower drink helps to accelerate weight loss.
It contains minerals and vitamins that assist relax the human nervous system, lowering anxiety and despair.
Zobo tasty drink also helps to decrease blood pressure in pre/mild hypertensive people. This can be achieved by drinking three cups of hibiscus tea every day for several weeks.
So you understand why the drink is popular. Let’s learn how to make a healthy zobo drink.
Ingredients
5 litres water
2 pressed cup dried zobo leaves
Peels of 2 pineapple
¼ cup dried ginger
1 fistful lemongrass leaves (you should try boiling with bay leaf sometime, glorious!)
1 tbsp cloves
1 cinnamon stick
Sugar or sweetener of choice (to taste)
Procedure
In a large pot bring your water to boil. Once boiled add pineapple peels, lemongrass, cloves, ginger, cinnamon. Turn the heat down and let them boil for 10 mins.
While those boil, rinse your dried zobo leaves with tepid/room temperature water to get rid of dirt and debris, especially if you purchased from open market.
After boiling the other ingredients for 10 minutes, add the zobo leaves and turn the heat off.
Keep the pot covered and leave the brew to cool down completely.
Decant the brew using a mesh sieve. Discard the pulp.
Add sugar or sweetener.
You can add slices of cucumber and lime and leave it to infuse in the drink it gives a lovely flavour to the zobo. This is optional.
Refrigerate and serve chilled.
