Hibiscus Pineapple Skin Tea – Jenny Claiborne’s Sweet Potato Spirit

Pineapple Skin Tea is a popular and refreshing Jamaican drink made with pineapple skin and ginger. It has become more and more popular due to its mild and sweet taste and enticing health benefits. My variation is made with tart and equally beneficial hibiscus flowers, as well as cinnamon, cloves and coconut sugar. This tea does it all!

This vegan Hibiscus Pineapple Skin Tea is…

• Delicious hot or iced
• Tart and sweet
• refreshing
• Easy to make, and hard to mess up
• Easily customized
• nutritious

Star element

Pineapple core and skin This delicious drink is the star. These pineapple “scraps” are simmered with hibiscus and spices to give the tart drink a sweet and savory, fruity flavor. The skin and core of pineapples are high in vitamin C and bromelain, a digestive enzyme–although this enzyme can be broken down with boiling (see note below).

Hibiscus Another star in this delicious drink. It has a tart flavor similar to dark red brews and cranberries.

cloves. Adding these spices to your tea enhances it and adds depth to it. You may already have cloves in your cabinet!

ginger. It brings some life and zing to this already delicious drink.

Where to buy hibiscus?

Depending on where you buy your hibiscus leaves, they may have different names: red sorrel or agua de jamaica are the most popular. Hibiscus is also called sour tea, Sudan tea, curcade or low-shen.

Should I use whole or ground cloves?

When testing this recipe I ran out of whole cloves and used ground. This does the same thing but leaves extra substance at the bottom of your tea. It’s perfectly fine to drink if you don’t mind. Otherwise, use cheesecloth instead of a strainer for a ‘cleaner’ tea.

Does bromelain affect boiled pineapple skin?

Pineapple is rich in bromelain, an enzyme that supports healthy digestion. This enzyme is also responsible for the raw feeling you get on your tongue after eating too much pineapple. Boiled pineapple skin can break down enzymes like bromelain, reducing its effectiveness. If you’re looking for pineapple skin as a digestive aid, try soaking it in room temperature water overnight or blending the core to make a smoothie instead.

Hibiscus Health Benefits

Although it is not common in the West, there are many cultures and countries that recognize the medicinal properties of hibiscus. In some areas, it is used to treat diseases such as high blood pressure, lowering your body temperature, heart disease, cholesterol and weight loss. While these issues should be discussed with your doctor, hibiscus has other obvious benefits.

Hibiscus is rich in vitamin C, iron and antioxidants. That means you’re fighting your body’s free radicals, supporting growth and repair in your tissues, and helping to boost your immune system. It is an antimicrobial and can help boost your metabolism. Super tea! Of course it doesn’t replace bad habits, but it’s a good occasional habit to add to your list.

Benefits of Pineapple Skin Tea

This hibiscus pineapple tea has even more benefits because of the pineapple peel. It contains enzymes that help your digestion and bromelain that helps fight pain and inflammation. Pineapple peels are rich in vitamin C and magnesium, micronutrients that can help boost your immunity and help you get a decent night’s rest. Both promote healthy skin.

How to make pineapple skin tea

Do you “set it and forget it?” That’s the best part about this recipe! You’ll want to start by washing your pineapple using a vegetable brush if you have one. Take a large bowl and add all your ingredients to it. Bring your water to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce the heat to low. Let all your flavors combine in the container for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from heat and let tea cool until safe enough to strain. Strain into a pitcher or large jar, then stir in the coconut sugar. Serve hot or over ice.

replacement

Spices you can add to your tea instead of or alongside cloves: Cardamom, cinnamon stick, and star anise. Many people add fresh turmeric root or ground turmeric, which has its own beneficial properties including fighting inflammation.

Some other things you can add to your tea: Lavender, rosemary, thyme, fresh mint, or orange. You can add lemon juice or a splash of lemon juice at the end if you like. If you don’t have coconut sugar, you can use brown sugar or maple syrup instead.

Also try this refreshing drink

Apple Nutmeg Mocktail

Hibiscus Elderberry Tea