Hibiscus tea has gotten a lot of attention over the past few years, and with good reason – this delicious tropical tea has amazing health benefits and a unique, fruit-like flavor that can blend with nearly any of your favorite tea types. It’s been most famously used in Starbucks’ passion tea blend or Panera’s Plum Ginger Hibiscus Tea. It’s also widely available at your local grocery store in standalone form or in a variety of fruit and floral-based flavors. 

Below, we’re exploring the health benefits you can enjoy from hibiscus tea and offering a deeper look inside this tropical tea’s flavor profile. 

Health benefits of hibiscus tea: Is hibiscus tea healthy? 

Hibiscus tea is incredibly healthy, especially in its most basic and unsweetened form. We’ve included the main health benefits of hibiscus tea below: 

1. Lower blood pressure 

According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 2 American adults struggle with hypertension – a condition defined by chronic high blood pressure and spikes. This can be fatal and can lead to lifelong complications such as heart failure, stroke, and other cardiac issues. Lowering blood pressure naturally is key to preemptively managing your risk for hypertension or directly addressing the symptoms of the disease. Hibiscus tea can be especially helpful as it promotes your body’s natural ability to regulate blood pressure and stress-induced vascular strain. 

2. Support liver health 

The liver is a vital organ in your body’s health and wellness process, responsible for metabolism, detoxing, and vitamin and mineral storage. The liver can struggle and be less efficient with high-sugar diets or overuse of alcohol, which are both common occurrences in the daily American diet. Hibiscus tea can naturally address liver strain and fatty build-up and support your liver’s overall function for a higher level of health. 

3. Support health and wellness 

With flu and illness becoming more common, finding sources of natural antioxidants is important to support your overall health and wellness. Many people are looking for a more preventative approach and are choosing to turn to natural sources like tea to support their immune systems.

 Hibiscus tea is a natural source of antioxidants that fight against free radical damage in the body. Antioxidants also stimulate and build your immune system and mitigate the risks you may have for fatal diseases and conditions: such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune conditions. 

4. Weight loss support 

If you’re looking for help managing your weight loss, hibiscus tea can be a healthier alternative to crash diets and juice cleanses. The anthocyanins and phenolic compounds in the tea’s petals and leaves are key to stimulating your metabolism and regulating your body’s natural weight management processes. It also actively works to reduce fat absorption, offering you the potential for lasting results without any radical dietary changes. 

If you do choose to use hibiscus tea for weight loss support, we recommend doing so under the supervision of a trusted medical professional. They’ll be able to evaluate your specific case and physical needs and help you to determine if hibiscus tea is the right choice for your weight management journey. 

5. Lower cholesterol 

There are two types of cholesterol in the body. Ideally, you’ll want higher HDL (high-density lipoprotein) over LDL – or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. LDL has been known as the “bad” cholesterol, as it can lead to arterial blockages, heart disease, and stroke. If you struggle with high cholesterol, you may need medical intervention from your family physician. They’ll be able to prescribe you medication that can help. 

In addition to medication, addressing cholesterol through diet is a useful secondary supportive measure to take, making your medication experience more effective. Hibiscus tea is known to support lower LDL levels in the body due to its naturally occurring bioactive compounds. Regular drinkers saw improvement in just one month, in one of the most recent approved studies. 

What does hibiscus tea taste like? 

Hibiscus tea tastes naturally sweet, light, and floral, giving way to more rich and tart undertones. Many compare the mouthfeel and deeper flavor notes to cranberries, crabapple, or darker tropical fruits, finishing with a clean and refreshing taste that you’ll love. The taste of hibiscus tea may vary depending on how you choose to enjoy your tea. Generally, the lighter notes may come out more with cold brew methods. The tangy-sweet and bold flavors show up more with hotter blends. 

Hibiscus tea is a fantastic herbal tea to blend with, working well with a variety of fruity and floral inclusions. If you like to drink it plain and are looking for ways to spice it up, consider adding in lemons, lemonade, brown sugar, or mint.