What’s In The Packet?
100% natural. no added flavours.
authentic Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers.
organic. hand-packaged
Feel
Balanced.
Rejuvenated.
Restored.
Tastes
Tart.
Fruity.
Refreshing.
Refreshingly tart and punchy, with hints of citrus, floral undertones, and a cranberry-like finish.
Experience It
Anytime as a Caffeine-free Treat.
Iced or Hot. Sweet.
As a Solo Thirst-Quencher or While You Eat.
Best Enjoyed
Iced, with your favourite sweetener melted into the infusion while it’s still hot. If you’re after some cuddly warmth from your reviving yet nurturing tea, keeping it hot works too. If you’re a fan of strong, tart flavours, you can enjoy Karkady straight. However, it’s doubly delicious with sugar (or your favourite alternative sweetener). A touch of sweetness highlights the natural berry-like flavour of the flower calyx and complements its tart taste.
Best Served
Karkady is best served chilled in a tall glass tumbler full to the brim with ice. Mason jars are also handy for those who want a big dose of refreshment with the option to pop a lid on it and store it in the fridge for later. You can also honour tradition by making a large pitcher to keep in the fridge, ready to serve (and impress) guests. If you’re drinking it hot, you can enjoy Karkady in dainty traditional tea glasses or, if you want to keep things simple, your favourite teacups or mugs. Hot or cold, whichever way you serve it, a decorative tea tray is the best way to present Karkady.
Pairs With
Its own sweet self. This magical flower calyx has a berry-like tang that fills you with the desire to take in the delicately changing notes of its flavour without distraction. Karkady can also be a delightful companion to any meal, and it is ideal for those looking to replace chemical-laden soft drinks with a healthy but delectable alternative.
Elevate It
Though karkady is delightfully refreshing in its natural state, a few creative, non-traditional touches can add new dimensions to the brew. To complement the berry-like floral flavour of hibiscus, add a few drops of rosewater to your cup. The exotic flavour adds a hint of romance that’ll whisk you away to the banks of the Nile. For a non-alcoholic mulled wine alternative, add cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and orange slices to the simmering brew and serve hot. Hint: you can serve it over ice too! A squeeze of lemon can brighten and balance the tart flavour, hot or iced.
Tea Time
For Egyptians, tea time is anytime the need for refreshment arises. So, if you’re in the mood for a sweet, tart treat, then it’s officially Karkady time! Free from caffeine, this rejuvenating drink can be your faithful companion, day or night.
Caffeine Level
Naturally caffeine-free
For peaceful sipping
Known For
Cooling the Body. Supporting Wellness. Heart Health
Brewing Guide
Tea on your mind but racing against time? Here are your express instructions!
How to Brew the Simple Way
Up for a taste of liquid luxury? Follow these quick iced brew steps to be royally refreshed!
To Make 1 Cup:
- 1
Add 1 – 2 tsp of tea to a teapot, a tea maker, or an infuser pot, mug or cup.
- 2
Pour in 200 ml (7 fl oz) of water boiled to 100°C (212°F).
- 3
Steep for 5 min.
- 4
Sweeten to taste (optional but highly recommended to balance the naturally tart flavour).
- 5
Allow to cool uncovered until it reaches room temperature.
- 6
Strain into cup or, if using an infuser, remove it from the cup or mug.
- 7
Serve chilled over ice.
Love hibiscus but craving a cosy cuppa? Brew it quick and hot for a toasty treat!
To Make 1 Cup:
- 1
Add 1 tsp of tea to a teapot, a tea maker, or an infuser pot, mug or cup.
- 2
Pour in 200 ml (7 fl oz) of water boiled to 100°C (212°F).
- 3
Steep for 5 min.
- 4
Strain into cup or, if using an infuser, remove it from the cup or mug.
- 5
Sweeten to taste (optional but highly recommended to balance the naturally tart flavour).
This Brewing Guide details how we recommend brewing your tisane. But taste is a very personal thing, and we all have our own quirks and preferences. So feel free to experiment and have fun finding your tea brewing groove! You can then refer back to this Brewing Guide anytime you want a refresher on the best tools to use, the ideal brewing method, the magic tisane-to-water ratio, and the perfect water temperature and brewing time.
Bask in the full floral beauty of your Egyptian Hibiscus tea with a traditional stovetop brew
How to Brew the Traditional Egyptian Way
Thirsting for something ice-cold and extraordinary? Whip up this traditional cool brew and let the king of refreshing drinks pamper you like a pharaoh!
Tea Tools
All the specialised utensils you’ll need for the traditional brew:
-
Measure
To make 1 L (34 fl oz) of iced tea, depending on how strong you like your brew, you will need 1 – 2 tbsp of tea per 1 L of water. You will also need some water for flash rinsing the flower calyces. For best results, use freshly drawn ambient filtered water.
Tip: Saucepan size matters! Select yours based on the number of servings you wish to prepare. This will help you maintain the ideal tisane-to water ratio while preventing excessive evaporation.
-
Flash Rinse
Flash rinse the tea by placing the hibiscus calyces in your sieve and pouring some ambient filtered water over them to remove any impurities. Run the water over the calyces a few times to ensure they are well rinsed.
-
Brew
Add the water to your saucepan, followed by the rinsed flower calyces. If sweetening with sugar, add it now so it can fully dissolve, simmer with the brew, and enhance its lush natural flavour.
Note: Adding sugar mid-brew is a deceptively simple step that can have a profound impact on the taste of your tea. As the sugar dissolves, it enhances the tisane’s taste profile, and you may even get a touch of caramelisation, adding to the richness and complexity of the flavours in your cup.
Tip: Hibiscus flower calyces create a cranberry-like flavour. If you find this naturally tart flavour a bit too strong, then tradition calls for sugar (or your favourite alternative sweetener). This highlights the natural berry-like beauty of the flowers and beautifully complements the tart taste.
Cover and bring to a rolling boil on the stovetop. Reduce the heat and gently simmer for 3 – 5 min or until the brew develops a deep maroon colour.
Remove from heat, then use a mesh strainer to strain the brew into your jug or pitcher. Leave the brew uncovered and allow it to cool to room temperature. Tip: if you like your hibiscus tea strong, leave the brew and the flower calyces in the saucepan and cool uncovered to maximise flavour. Then strain the brew into your jug or pitcher once it’s cooled.
If sweetening with honey or any alternative sweetener, allow your tea to cool at room temperature until it is lukewarm, then add your desired amount.
Note for honey lovers: Piping hot tea can alter the flavour of honey and diminish its health benefits. So, give your tea a break before adding any bee magic! Honey dissolves perfectly in a cooled infusion, blending seamlessly and holding onto its beneficial compounds.
Once the brew reaches room temperature, refrigerate to chill.
-
Serve
Whether you’re enjoying tea solo or with company, serve in glass tumblers or mason jars brimming with ice.
Want to warm your hands and soothe your soul? Follow the traditional hot brew for a refreshing ruby-red treat with maximum flavour.
Tea Tools
All the specialised utensils you’ll need for the traditional brew:
-
Measure
You will need 1 tsp of hibiscus flower per cup (200 ml / 7 fl oz) of water. You will also need some water for flash rinsing the flower calyces. For best results, use freshly drawn ambient filtered water.
Tip: Brew your tea in a teapot that can cater for the number of cups you plan to serve. This ensures a perfect tisane-to-water ratio. If your pot is the wrong size, it can be easy to overfill or underfill and throw off the ratio. Even if you’re using a saucepan to brew your tea, this tip still applies. Basing your saucepan size on the number of cups you’re brewing will help you maintain the ideal ratio and prevent excessive evaporation.
-
Flash Rinse
Flash rinse the tea by placing the hibiscus calyces in your sieve and pouring some ambient filtered water over them to remove any impurities. Run the water over the calyces a few times to ensure they are well rinsed.
-
Brew
Add the water to your stovetop teapot or saucepan, followed by the rinsed flower calyces.
If sweetening with sugar, add it at now to create greater depths of flavour. Simmering sugar with the brew enhances the tisane’s taste profile. The sugar dissolves beautifully, often caramelising slightly, giving you a richly flavoured, harmonious cup of tea.
Tip: Hibiscus flower calyces create a cranberry-like flavour. If you find this naturally tart flavour a bit too strong then tradition calls for sugar (or your favourite alternative sweetener). This simple addition highlights the natural berry-like beauty of the flowers and beautifully complements the tart taste.
Cover and bring to a rolling boil on the stovetop. Reduce the heat and gently simmer for 2 – 3 min or until the liquor develops a deep maroon colour.
-
Serve
Whether you’re sharing with others or enjoying a solo tea-venture, feel free to pour the brew directly into cups. If you used a saucepan, you may wish to transfer the tea into a teapot first. Either way, it’s best to pour through a mesh strainer to prevent the flower calyces from flowing out. Follow the cultural tradition by leaving some space at the top of each cup. This makes them easier to manoeuvre and is especially important with traditional handle-less cups as it allows you to hold them without burning your fingers.
If you didn’t add sugar to the brew, you can add it during service, allowing everyone to find their own sweet spot. This is also the ideal moment for adding honey or any alternative sweetener.
Note for honey lovers: The secret to a healthy, flavour-rich tisane is to let the brew cool a little before bringing honey into the mix. Otherwise, the heat of the water can alter its taste and diminish its health benefits. Honey dissolves like a dream in a slightly cooled brew, retaining its lush flavour and all its beneficial properties. So, for pure nourishment, give your cup a moment to breathe before drizzling in honey.
-
Drink
Before taking your first sip, savour the aroma of the tea in the teacup to experience greater depths of flavour. The brew may be piping hot, so make your first sip small and take it slow, testing the temperature of the brew so that you don’t burn yourself. If drinking from a traditional handle-less cup, hold the rim with your thumb and index finger to observe the cultural practice and protect your fingers from burning. If you’re not in a rush, you can also let your brew cool for a while as you savour its comforting aroma, building up anticipation for that first satisfying sip.
This Brewing Guide details how we recommend brewing your tisane. But taste is a very personal thing, and we all have our own quirks and preferences. So feel free to experiment and have fun finding your tea brewing groove! You can then refer back to this Brewing Guide anytime you want a refresher on the best tools to use, the ideal brewing method, the magic tisane-to-water ratio, and the perfect water temperature and brewing time.