As with the U.S., different types of tea are enjoyed in Egypt, hot and iced. One of the popular herbal teas is karkadè (KAR-kah-day, with a rolled “r”), brewed from dried hibiscus leaves.

The flavor of hibiscus is floral, tart and fruity, reminiscent of cranberry juice.

Sugar and honey are added for a sweet and tart treat, but you can use a different sweetener or none at all.

> The history of tea.

> The history of iced tea.

> The history of tea bags.

> The different types of tea: a glossary.
 
 
RECIPE: ICED KARKADÈ, AN EGYPTIAN HERBAL ICED TEA

You can enjoy the tea hot, although we think that hibiscus tea shows best when iced.

You can replace the orange flower water with rose water or any floral water (check out the different floral waters).
 
Ingredients For 4 Servings

 
Preparation

1. STEEP the hibiscus flowers and the water in a pitcher for 40 minutes—but no longer than 1 hour to avoid bitterness.

2. STRAIN the tea into another pitcher or vessel. Press the flowers to release the excess liquid.

4. ADD the other ingredients—sugar, honey, and orange flower water—and stir to combine thoroughly.

5. DRINK hot or place in the refrigerator to cool.
 
 
 
 

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[1] Hibiscus iced tea (photo © Rania Alhamed | Pexels).

[2] Hibiscus Flowers on the bush (photo © Kelly Sikkema | Unsplash).

[3] More often in the U.S., hibiscus tea is brewed from tea bags or loose hibiscus flowers (photo © The Spice House).