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Product Introduction
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), also known as hibiscus, is an annual herbaceous plant in the Malvaceae family. It is a tetraploid plant that originated in Africa and was introduced to Taiwan, China, in 1910. Today, it is widely cultivated in Guangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, and Yunnan provinces in China. Roselle has a variety of economic uses and is a tropical and subtropical cash crop.
Roselle roots, fruits, and seeds can be used medicinally. The calyces can be used to brew tea and make beverages, and the plant can also be used as a food additive for its sour flavor and natural pigment. It has benefits such as clearing heat, beautifying the skin, reducing spots, and relieving hangovers. It can be planted in clusters or patches in parks and gardens, used as hedges, or grown as ornamental potted plants. Seeds can be pressed for oil, which has industrial and culinary uses, while the calyces serve as raw materials for beverages and foods. The fibers from the stems can be used for textiles, and the woody parts for papermaking. Roselle is sometimes called the “Plant Ruby” and has the flower language of tranquility and patience.
Main Active Ingredients
Roselle is rich in nutrients such as vitamins C, E, K, B group vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, cellulose, pectin, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and other minerals, as well as various bioactive substances like anthocyanins and flavonoids. It is especially rich in vitamin C and anthocyanins, which have strong antioxidant properties, helping to eliminate free radicals, slow aging, and boost immunity.
Product Applications, Usage, and Dosage
- Food Coloring:Roselle anthocyanins are natural pigments approved by the Chinese Ministry of Health as edible colorants, and they can be used in unlimited quantities in beverages, candies, liqueurs, and other foods according to the “National Food Safety Standard for the Use of Food Additives” (GB 2760-2014). They can be used to develop various food products such as soft drinks, candies, dairy products, solid drinks, fruit wines, fruit vinegar, juices, jellies, puddings, pastries, and snacks.
- Roselle Foods:Roselle can be processed directly into products such as roselle enzyme, roselle tea, roselle wine, roselle beverages, jams, and candied fruits. Roselle infusions have been widely used for hundreds of years, known as “Sudanese Tea” by Arabs, “Karkade Tea” in Europe and America, and “Roselle Tea” in China.
- Roselle Dishes:Roselle’s sour taste makes it suitable for preparing acidic dishes, adding color and a balanced sourness. Dishes include roselle sweet and sour pork ribs, roselle sweet and sour fish, roselle sweet and sour pig’s feet, roselle stuffing, roselle pork belly, and roselle vegetable salads. In Africa, roselle leaves are a major source of green vegetables. People in sub-Saharan Africa consume far less than the recommended 200g daily intake of vegetables, especially leafy greens.
- Medicinal Uses:Roselle is listed in the 2020 Chinese Pharmacopoeia as an herb that can be used in healthy food. It is rich in bioactive components such as anthocyanins, polyphenols, polysaccharides, and flavonoids, giving it significant health benefits and medicinal value.
- Health Foods:Roselle can be an ingredient in health foods, such as roselle tea and roselle health wine.
Plant Source, Distribution, and Growth Environment
- Family: Malvaceae
- Plant: Roselle
- Plant Type: Annual erect herb
- Origin: Widely cultivated in tropical regions worldwide. In China, it is grown in Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, and southern Yunnan.
Morphological Characteristics:
- Height: 1-2 meters
- Stem: Light purple, hairless; lower leaves are ovate, unlobed; upper leaves are palmately 3-lobed with lanceolate lobes, 2-8 cm long, 0.5-2 cm wide, with serrated edges, a nearly round or broad wedge-shaped base, hairless on both sides, with 3-5 basal veins, and glandular underneath.
- Flower: Evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub.
- Fruit: Capsule is ovoid, about 1.5 cm in diameter, densely covered with long coarse hairs.
- Seed: Kidney-shaped, hairless.
Ecological Habits:
- Domestic Distribution: Widely cultivated in Taiwan, Fujian, Guangdong, and southern Yunnan.
- International Distribution: Originally from tropical regions of the Eastern Hemisphere, now cultivated worldwide.
- Phenology: Flowering period from July to October.
Harvesting, Processing, and Storage
Harvesting and Processing:
In mid-to-late November, when the leaves turn yellow and the seeds turn black, cut the fruit-bearing branches, remove the calyces along with the fruits, and dry them. After shrinking, separate the calyces, and place them on clean grass mats or bamboo trays to dry.
Medicinal Part: Calyx
Storage Tips:
Refrigerate if Needed: If you have a large quantity that will take a long time to consume, store it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.
Ensure Sealing: Whether stored in a bag or a sealed jar, make sure to seal it properly to avoid moisture.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Light, humidity, and temperature can easily cause roselle tea to deteriorate, so store it in a cool, dry place.
