Foléré , also as Bissap , or scientifically as sabdariffa or Roselle, is primarily known as African mallow or karkade . It is a plant from the mallow family.
It is used in Cameroon, and also throughout tropical Africa, to make juices, syrups, cakes, and sweets.
It used to be much more common in northern Cameroon. As a child, I didn't know much about it. My first encounter with Foléré was about 15 years ago when I was visiting my homeland. I hadn't been back in Cameroon for a long time, and things had changed quite a bit…
My sister served me this dark red drink from a jug for the first time. Curious, I asked, "What is it?" and she replied, "Foléré, of course!" Completely bewildered, I asked, "Foléré? What is Foléré?" The answer came immediately: "Try it first!"… Since then, I've been a fan of Foléré.
I like its slightly tart flavor. Furthermore, the color reminds me a bit of Top Grenadine, a syrup drink we liked to drink as children because it turned our lips and tongue red.
Ingredients
For approximately 1 liter of beverage
1 medium pineapple,
2 cups dried hibiscus flowers,
1 liter water
, lemon or lime juice
, mint leaves,
1 cup sugar or to taste
Foléré/Bissap | Iced tea made from African mallow or karkade
Ingredients
For approximately 1 liter of beverage
- 1 medium pineapple
- 25 g hibiscus flower
- 1 lemon or lime juice
- 8-10 Mint leaves
- Sugar (to taste)
- 1 liter of water
Instructions
- Wash and peel the pineapple thoroughly. Cut the pineapple flesh into pieces. Boil the pineapple peel with a few pineapple pieces and water in a large pot for 10 minutes.
- Add the hibiscus flower and cook for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for at least 7 hours overnight
- Strain at least twice through a sieve to remove all pineapple residue. Heat the sugar and water in a saucepan, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved. Mix the prepared ingredients together.
- Pour into a clean bottle, seal and refrigerate for about two hours.
