Bissap

Bissap (Hibiscus sabdariffa; called Sorrel in the Caribbean) is a species of hibiscus native to the Old World tropics. It is an annual or perennial herb or woody-based subshrub, growing to 2–2.5 m tall. The leaves are deeply three- to five-lobed, 8–15 cm long, arranged alternately on the stems. The flowers are 8–10 cm in diameter, white to pale yellow with a dark red spot at the base of each petal, and have a stout fleshy calyx at the base, 1.5–2 cm wide, enlarging to 3–3.5 cm, fleshy and bright red as the fruit matures.

In Africa, especially the Sahel, Bissap is commonly used to make a sugary herbal tea. It has been called the "national drink of Senegal". It is frequently sold on the street. The dried flowers can be found in every market. In the Caribbean the drink is made from the fresh fruit, and it is considered an integral part of Christmas celebrations. The leaves and calyces are also used as a vegetable, in the same way as spinach. The Caribbean Development Company , a Trinidad and Tobago brewery, produces a Shandy Sorrel in which the tea is combined with beer.

Proper records are not kept, but the Senegalese government estimates national production and consumption at 700 metric tons per year.

It is also known as wanjo in the Gambia, zobo in Nigeria, karkaday in Egypt, and the Sudan, and omutete in Namibia.

The flowers are steeped for a good five to ten minutes to produce the infusion, after which many Africans like to add extra flavourings, such as a little mint or fruit juice, as well as the obligatory sugar. The flowers are also used to make syrops which are bottled and sold so that people can make instant bissap at home.

The red calyces of the plant are increasingly exported to America and Europe, where they are used as food colourings. Germany is the main importer. It can also be found in markets (as flowers or syrup) in some places such as France, where there are Senegalese immigrants.

The green calyces are used like a spicy version of spinach. They give flavour to the Sengalese fish and rice dish thiéboudieune.

External links

• Larsen-twins: Hibiscus sabdariffa
• Congo Cookbook
• Bissap page (In French)