Jamaica (Agua de jamaica)

(pronounced huh-my-kuh)

This is a drink made from dried hibiscus flowers.  It is very common in Mérida, Méxcio, and delicious!  It is a bit of an acquired taste.  The first time Joel tried it he didn't like it all, but he decided to try a second cup and now he loves it.  I probably drank this everyday while I was in Mérida.  I hope you like it!  I don't know if the flowers are available in regular grocery stores, but they definitely can be found at Hispanic grocery stores.  They're worth the trip!

Agua de jamaica

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups water
additional 3 cups cold water

Put sugar, hibiscus flowers, and 4 cups of water into a pot and bring to a boil.  You may cover the pot or leave it uncovered.  When the mixture comes to a boil, cover the pot (if it's not already covered) and remove from heat.  Let it sit.  The amount of time you let it sit is variable.  The reason is to draw the flavor from the flowers, so it can sit for as few as 10-15 minutes or all day long.  Some people say it's best to do it overnight; I did it for about five hours during the day.

The mixture you have now is a concentrate.  When you're ready to drink it, add the additional 3 cups of water and pour the mixture into a pitcher, straining out the flowers.  These can be discarded.  You can add more sugar if you so desire, but I prefer it with just the 1/2 cup. 

Enjoy your jamaica! ¡Buen provecho!



**In addition to being tasty, agua de jamaica is chock full of Vitamin C, antioxidants, and anthocyanin.  It also may help alleviate female monthly  cramps, normalize high blood pressure, help purify arteries and kidneys, and lower high cholesterol.  It also is a mild diuretic, mild laxative, and treatment for cardiac and nerve diseases, as well as cancer.  It's popular in the folk medicine :)

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