Create allergy card
← Browse ingredients

Hibiscus

Dried tart calyx brewed for drinks and used in syrups.

Hibiscus — illustrative ingredient image

About Hibiscus

Hibiscus used as food generally refers to dried, tart calyces, especially those brewed for drinks or cooked into syrups and preserves. Different hibiscus species and preparations vary in colour, acidity, and flavour, so the culinary material may not be identical from one product to another.

It has a pronounced tart, fruity flavour and can give infusions a deep red colour. The dry calyces are papery and fibrous; soaking softens them and draws out colour and acidity. Sugar balances the sharpness in syrups, which are smooth, thick, and pourable.

Dried hibiscus is sold as whole or broken calyces, flakes, or coarse pieces. It is steeped in hot or cold water, simmered, strained, or cooked with sugar. The brewed liquid and syrup are preparations of the dried material rather than interchangeable forms of it.

Ingredient type
whole food

FOLLOW IT TO THE PLATE

Where will you meet it?

Explore the dishes that use this ingredient and their country and cuisine connections.

Explore linked dishes

ON A MENU OR LABEL

Find local names and written forms to help recognise this ingredient.

See local names

Where hibiscus appears

1 linked foods

Find foods to recognise by country and type. Recipes and products vary; these are recorded ingredient connections.

Showing 1–1 of 1

Drinks

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for hibiscus

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

hibiscus

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Hibiscus nutrition & diet

Hibiscus nutritional value

Product example: HIBISCUS (CASA CARDENAS)

Per 100 g of this specific product as recorded by USDA, per 100 g.

Calories
54kcal
Protein
0.0g
Carbs
10.7g
Fat
0.0g

A product-specific label example, not a generic average. Formulations can change; use the nutrition label on the product being eaten.

Portions & preparation

Establish whether the ingredient is edible hibiscus calyx, flower, leaf, or a prepared extract; these forms should not be combined in one reference. For dried calyx used in an infusion, distinguish the brewed liquid from the retained solids. Syrups and sweetened beverages require separate recipe-level assessment.

Compare the right form: Match references to the identified hibiscus species and plant part, especially dried calyx used for infusion versus syrup or extract.

Diet considerations

Hibiscus is plant-derived when the species and edible part are established. Tea or infusion compatibility changes with honey, sugar, dairy, gelatin, or other additions; syrups and concentrates may contain substantial sweeteners. Do not infer suitability from the word hibiscus alone, because species, extracts, blends, and recipes vary.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Not established
  • Vegetarian
    Not established
  • Pescatarian
    Not established
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    Not established
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Vegetarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Pescatarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · Not established
The ingredient form and processing have not been assessed against this dietary pattern.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: USDA FoodData Central branded product — HIBISCUS ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .