Hibiscus Cranberry Sauce – A Special Holiday Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is cranberry sauce a Christmas thing? ›

Cranberry sauce is often eaten in conjunction with turkey for Christmas in the United Kingdom and Canada or Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada, and it is only rarely eaten or served in other contexts there.

Cranberry hibiscus is mostly known for its slightly sour or pleasantly tart young leaves which are commonly used as a vegetable, either raw or cooked. In South America, the leaves are used sparingly in salads and stir-fries. Leaves are eaten in small quantities due to acid content and because they are mucilaginous.

The traditional cranberry sauce, made with sugar, did not become popularized until the 19th century. By the early 20th century, farmers began harvesting cranberries in bogs instead of dry-harvesting, which led to cranberry sauce as a Thanksgiving staple.

Make a delicious, tart tea using the flowers and/or calyx. Simply steep the flowers in hot water for a few minutes and enjoy, or dry them and use like dried tea leaves. Use the leaves and flowers to make a refreshing juice or smoothie by blending them with some water, ice, and your favorite fruits.

Cranberries, which are often added to popcorn garlands for color and intrigue, became part of the tradition in the 1800s. The bright berry was largely cultivated in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and became popular in popcorn garlands because of its long shelf life, according to the historical magazine Colonial Williamsburg.

In early America, when trees were decorated, families would use homemade ornaments because they were inexpensive. Following the German tradition of fruit, they would use cranberries with popcorn since cranberries were harvested in November and popcorn was in season.

Hibiscus preparations, including teas, powders, and extracts, have been shown to decrease blood pressure, reduce body fat, improve metabolic syndrome, protect the liver, and fight cancer cells.

Named the cranberry hibiscus, for obvious reasons, is also known as the African roe mallow, maroon mallow , Mahogany Splendor, or red leaved hibiscus. In contrast to its tropical relatives, this rare hibiscus specimen is very hardy, enabling it to tolerate colder conditions.

The maroon leaves have a tart - some say citrusy - flavor. Leaves from the hibiscus varieties that I've eaten have a sour taste with no trace of bitterness, but the cranberry hibiscus also adds a dash of color to salads, sandwiches, and stir fries.

The major variation you're likely to come across is "whole berry" versus "jellied." The only difference between them is that the jellied sauce is cooked until the berries have completely broken down. They both slide out of the can as a wobbly red cylinder.

Why are cranberries a holiday food? ›

Due to the importance of cranberries in the 1500s and their abundance, it is believed that the pilgrims and the American Indians would have eaten them at the first Thanksgiving.

Cranberry sauce can be served either as a gooey liquid or as a solid jelly. The jellied version is solid enough to retain the shape of the container in which it's placed whereas the sauce version is much more fluid. The difference between the fluid sauce and the jelly versions comes down to pectin.

People taking chloroquine for the treatment or prevention of malaria should avoid Hibiscus sabdariffa products. Be cautious with this combination. Taking Hibiscus sabdariffa while taking diclofenac might alter levels of diclofenac in the body. This might change the effects and side effects of diclofenac.

In Mexico, it is used to make agua fresca, a cold tea made by soaking the flowers in water. The concentrate is then mixed with sugar and more water and served cold. Aside from being used as a cold brew, hibiscus flowers can also be used in vegetarian dishes, as a spicy snack or as a lovely syrup to have with gin.

A small number of studies have looked at how hibiscus affects your kidney health. Hibiscus extract showed some benefit to kidney function and relief from symptoms of urinary tract infections. Hibiscus tea was found to act as a diuretic, helping your kidneys remove extra fluid from your body.

This side dish has become essential to Thanksgiving menus, whether you opt to buy it (as 76% of Americans do) or make it yourself. It's hard to pinpoint exactly who invented the concept of cranberry sauce.

Cranberry sauce is a crucial component of the Thanksgiving table, where its tart, bright acidity cuts through all of the heavy turkey and gravy and stuffing and mashed potatoes.

Fresh cranberries are harvested in the fall and are usually only available at your local grocery store from October through December. Fortunately, cranberries can be frozen for up to a year, so remember to stock up with an extra bag or two around the holidays to use throughout the year.