Roselle, also known as hibiscus, is a popular herb used in many different cuisines around the world. It has a tart and slightly sour taste that makes it perfect for adding flavor to salads, teas, soups, and more. Additionally, roselle contains many beneficial nutrients like vitamin C and antioxidants, making it great for promoting overall health.
If you enjoy using roselle but don’t want to worry about spoilage or waste from excess fresh herbs in your kitchen, then dehydrating roselle might be the perfect solution for you. Dehydrated roselle can be stored indefinitely and is easy to use in all of your favorite recipes. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps for dehydrating roselle using a dehydrator, as well as how you can store your dehydrated herbs.
What is roselle?
Roselle, also known as hibiscus, is a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Roselle contains many vitamins and nutrients, including vitamins A and C, iron, and calcium. It is also high in antioxidants, which can help protect the body against certain diseases and conditions.
Roselle prefers rich soil, full sun, and lots of water. Given plenty of room to grow, it can stretch to over six feet tall and five feet wide. When heavy with calyces, your plant may need support to keep branches from snapping. Additionally, Roselle does best in full sun. Fertile soil is ideal, but if you add too many amendments, your plant may become larger but produce fewer calyces. For more information, we have written a previous article on how to harvest it HERE.
What part of the plant do I use?
Looks can be deceiving when it comes to roselle. Instead of dehydrating the whole fruit, you only use the calyces. Calyces are the edible part of the roselle plant. They can range in color from light pink to deep red and are full of sweet, tangy flavor. They look like petals (although they can be a bit thicker) and can easily be removed from the pod which holds the roselle’s seeds.
Why dehydrate roselle?
One of the best ways to take advantage of all of these health benefits is to dehydrate roselle. Dehydrating removes most or all of the water from the plant, making it easier to store and preserve. This allows you to enjoy roselle in your tea or smoothies whenever you want without having to worry about the freshness of your ingredients.
Needed materials:
– A dehydrator
– Fresh roselle leaves or flowers
– Sharp knife or scissors
– Gloves (the juice from a calyce can stain!)
How to dehydrate roselle:
Step 1: Start by slicing or tearing the calyces into thin strips that are approximately 1/4 inch wide. You can also cut them into small pieces if you prefer.
Step 2: Place the roselle strips on the dehydrator trays in a single layer without overlapping or bunching them up too much. Make sure that there is plenty of airflow between the strips, as this will help them dehydrate evenly.
Step 3: Set your dehydrator to a temperature of around 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and dehydrate the roselle for 6-12 hours, or until it is completely dried. Rotate the trays halfway through, if needed, to ensure that they all dehydrate at an even rate.
Step 4: Once dehydrated, store your roselle in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. It can be enjoyed as a tea or added to recipes like smoothies and teas for extra flavor and nutrients.
If you prefer, you can also dehydrate roselle in the oven instead of using a dehydrator. Simply preheat your oven to its lowest setting, place the roselle on a baking sheet and dehydrate for 6-12 hours.
As with dehydrated roselle prepared using a dehydrator, roselle dehydrated in the oven should be stored in an airtight container once it is completely cooled to help preserve its flavor and nutrients. Our preferred method is to use glass jars that we then put in our pantry to keep out of the sun. Sunlight can degrade roselle (and most herbs for that matter). You can use dehydrated roselle in tea, smoothies, jams, jellies, or other recipes as desired.
Dehydrating roselle
Dehydrating roselle in your dehydrator is a simple yet effective way to take advantage of all of the health benefits and flavor that this popular herb has to offer. Whether you are looking for more ways to enjoy it in your tea, or want to preserve it for future use, dehydrating roselle is an easy and convenient option.
