HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT BISSAP JUICE!

Picture courtesy of Motley Princess

Bissap is the Senegalese name for Hibiscus Sabdariffa leaves , wich is also called
Oseille de Guinea in Guinea , in Sudan & Egypt it's also called Karkaday,
dah bleni in Mali..I know my West Indies people also consume this drink but they call it Sorrel juice...

In Senegal it's an economical drink that peole serve guests at home, at weddings and other family holidays..

I tried making it on my own and it turned out to be quite easy...
U'll need:
-2 or 3 cups of the dried hibiscus
-2 or 3 cups of sugar
-if you can mint leaves, or 1 bit of orange
-flower water
-if you would like, you can also add 1 cup of pineaple or orange juice
-vanilla extract

The steps:
- after rinsing 2 or 3 cups of the dried hibiscus Sabdariffa leaves ,put them in aproximately 2 liters of water that you would have boiled for around 10 minutes
-When u are satisfied w/the red color of the water, remove them from the water add the sugar, the vanilla extract, a bit of the orange flower water and let it cool, add ice if necessary..
(Wanted 2 add that some people suggest dipping the leaves in water overnight)

This plant is also used as hot tea and it is said to reduce cholesterol as well, it's also great for people who suffer from water retention Here are some versions of the bissap drink recipe: http://www.blogs-afrique.info/cuisine-afrique/index.php/2007/01/30/28-jus-bissap-senegal-recette-boisson http://www.soninkara.com/forums/boissons/le-jus-de-bissap-2356-2.html
(forum post on how 2 make the perfect bissap juice...for those of u who speak French)

Djaa we Fabulafricana Women can make the perfect coktail African style:)
Eyeee Wayeee:)