Generality
What is karkadè?
Karkadè, also known as " hibiscus tea " or " Abyssinian tea ", is a beverage that derives from the dried calyxes (sepals) of fleshy and fragrant scarlet flowers of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant.
The infusion based on karkadè, known throughout the world, is prepared in a similar way to the classic tea, and can be eaten both hot and cold. The drink that is obtained has an unmistakable intense red color and a slightly sour taste, reminiscent of the "blueberry tart".
In western Sudan the white hibiscus flower is used, known for its bitter and favorite taste as a welcome drink for guests.
The consumption of karkadè is particularly widespread in Egypt, due to its astringent properties, which contribute to fighting dehydration and thirst. In Italy, the infusion, known as "carcadè", was introduced as a colonial product from Eritrea (Italian colony from 1860 to 1941): in the past, karkadè was used as a tea substitute and usually drunk cold and sweetened, with the addition of freshly squeezed lemon juice. In other European countries, on the other hand, it is often used as an ingredient in mixed teas and often in association with mallow or rosehip.
Cultivation of karkadè
Hibiscus sabdariffa belongs to the Malvaceae family and grows in tropical regions (especially in Africa and the Caribbean). The plant from which the karkadè is obtained is a perennial shrub, which requires fertile and sandy soil, and a very hot climate with constant sun exposure: during the first 4-5 months of growth it needs about 13 hours of sunlight to day.
Processing of karkadè
The floral goblets of karkadè ripen during the long and hot summer days, and their harvest begins in autumn.
The flowers are then spread, by hand, on wire mesh and left to dry in the sun for 3-4 days. Once the drying process is complete, the petals are separated from the rest of the flower and packaged.
Preparation of karkadè
Karkadè drink
The preparation of the karkadè drink is very simple:
- After boiling a large cup of natural mineral water, pour a teaspoon of dried and chopped karkadè petals.
- Leave to infuse for 5-8 minutes over low heat, filter well and sweeten to taste with sugar or honey.
Karkadè can also be eaten cold: with a slice of lemon and a few ice cubes it turns into a refreshing and refreshing drink.
1-2 cups of karkadè can be consumed per day.
External use of karkadè
Karkadè can also be used for outdoor use: the presence of mucilage and polyphenols allows it to be applied to the skin as a lenitive or after-sun lotion.
For the karkadè based wrap it is necessary to prepare a restricted infusion, and then apply it, with a gauze compress, on the most reddened areas of the body after exposure to the sun.
Karkadè is also suitable for sensitive skin and can be used in combination with mallow, horse chestnut and marigold.
Consumption of karkadé abroad
America
In Jamaica, Mexico and Panama, karkadè is one of the most common "aguas frescas", or low-cost beverages, generally composed of fruit juices or fresh extracts.
In Jamaica and Panama (known as sarril) it is usually prepared by macerating and squeezing the floral glasses and ginger in boiling water; can be added: sugar, cloves, cinnamon and rum (in Panama is also added nutmeg).
In Jamaica it is traditionally served cold at Christmas time, accompanied with a slice of fruit cake or with a potato pudding.
Today, karkadè is also available in North America as Flor de Jamaica (especially in California).
The Caribbean Development Company produces the Sorrel Shandy, a particular beer combined with karkadè.
In the United States, hibiscus tea was popularized by "Celestial Seasonings" as "Red Zinger" in 1972.
Africa
In Africa, karkadè is served hot or iced.
It is very popular in parts of North Africa, especially in Egypt and Sudan. Here it is prepared by infusing the floral glasses in cold water, for a couple of days, and filtering the liquid.
The drink is often served in wedding parties. Especially in the Sahel, karkadè is commonly sold in the street.
In Senegal, the "bissap" (karkadè) is known as "national drink".
Other similar include: wanjo in Gambia, dabileni in Mali and zobo or tsobo throughout Nigeria. In West Africa, karkadè is often flavored with mint or ginger.
Asia
In Thailand, karkadè is prepared for cold consumption, strongly sweetened and served with ice like fruit juices.
Retail sales include service in plastic bags filled with ice; it can be found outside most local schools and markets.
Although less commonly, in Malaysia and Indonesia it is added to wine with Chinese tea leaves in a 4: 1 ratio.
In China, the petals of candied hibiscus flowers are occasionally served.
Europe
In Italy karkadè is drunk mainly hot, sweetened and / or with lemon juice. Introduced from Eritrea, it is used as a tea substitute. Its consumption was historically higher when the nation was sanctioned for the invasion of Abyssinia.
In other European countries it is an ingredient of mixed teas.
Chemical composition
Nutritional factors of karkadè
The karkadè contains:
- Organic acids: they are the characteristic element of karkadè, as they represent 15-30% of the dry substance. They give the sour taste to the herbal tea: the typical one is hibiscus acid but, from the quantitative point of view, citric acid, tartaric acid and malic acid are more abundant
- Oxalic acid is also present, responsible for a potential anti-nutritional effect.
- Mucilages: which act as a prebiotic dietary fiber beneficial to the intestine
- Flavonoid glycosides (especially delfinidin and cyanidin), which give the characteristic deep red color; they are powerful antioxidants and have a beneficial impact on the metabolism
- Tannins: like the previous ones, but they can hinder the digestion and absorption of proteins (anti-nutritional factor)
- Phytosterols: they are plant sterols which, in significant quantities, can improve cholesterolemia
- Vitamin C or ascorbic acid: it is a powerful antioxidant, a necessary factor for the synthesis of collagen and an element supporting the immune system
- Minerals.
Karkadè has no active active ingredients and does not contain caffeine.
Contraindications
Does karkadè have any important contraindications?
In the form of an infusion, karkadè is slightly laxative and for this reason it is advisable NOT to take excessive quantities.
In addition, caution should be exercised during pregnancy and lactation or in the event of hypotension.
At the indicated doses there are no other particular undesirable effects.
Karkadè is usually well tolerated; does not adversely affect liver function and renal function at low doses, but can be hepatotoxic in high quantities.
Health Benefits
Therapeutic effects of karkadè
Karkadè performs many beneficial functions for the body
- It stimulates renal activity and facilitates the function of the digestive system
- The consumption of the drink is useful to facilitate digestion, eliminate metabolic waste and to combat constipation (slightly laxative action)
- Furthermore, as an herbal tea, karkadè possesses diuretic and antiseptic properties of the urinary tract.
- The presence of anthocyanins and flavonoids makes the Hibiscus an angioprotective plant. In fact, karkadè is an ally of circulation
- It is said to have blood pressure regulatory capacity and many scientific studies are geared towards demonstrating these properties.
Karkadè against high blood pressure
Karkadè appears to be effective in lowering and controlling blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes, pre-hypertension or in case of mild hypertension, with a wide margin of tolerability and safety.
In particular, some researches seem to confirm its effective anti-hypertensive properties, which would even be equivalent to those of certain ACE inhibitors (drugs that block the angiotensin-converting enzyme, used above all in the therapy of arterial hypertension).
The blood pressure reduction effect of karkadè has been attributed to its diuretic effect and its ability to reduce the activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme, thanks to the presence of anthocyanins. However, no reliable evidence is available to support the consumption of karkadè in the treatment of primary hypertension.
In case you decide to use karkadè as a therapeutic adjuvant of hypertension, it is absolutely necessary to receive the approval of your doctor, avoiding self-therapy.
