You can eat hibiscus flower, including the calyx and sometimes even the young pods of certain varieties. The entire pod of some younger varieties is edible, while for others you pick off the outer leaves.
Here's a breakdown:
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Edible Parts: The calyx (the fleshy part surrounding the seed pod) is the most commonly consumed part. In some varieties, when young, the entire pod is edible. You can also eat the petals, though they're often less flavorful.
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Preparation:
- Fresh: You can eat hibiscus flowers fresh. For some varieties, this involves simply picking off the outer leaves or the entire young pod.
- Dried: Hibiscus is often dried and used for tea.
- Cooked: Hibiscus can be used in jams, jellies, sauces, and other culinary creations.
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Taste: Hibiscus has a tart, cranberry-like flavor.
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Example: The video excerpt mentions picking the outer leaves of one variety and eating the whole pod of a younger variety.
Always ensure your hibiscus flowers are free of pesticides or other harmful chemicals before consumption.
