HOW TO PREPARE ZOBO JUICE A NIGERIAN DRINK(with health benefits)

HOW TO PREPARE NIGERIAN ZOBO JUICE

Zobo is a healthy drink made from the dried red calyces and sepals of the Roselle plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa), known as Zobo leaves in Nigeria.

     Zobo is usually served as a chilled refreshing drink, but can also be enjoyed as a relaxing hot tea and the leaves, used in production of jams/jelly, food coloring, syrups and soups/sauces.

 INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING NIGERIAN ZOBO

Makes about 5+ (150ml) glass cups- 1 cup Zobo leaves
- Half of a small Pineapple
- Pineapple peels (the skin of the pineapple you're using)
- 5 to 6 cups of Water
- 1 teaspoonful Cloves (optional)
- 1 tablespoonful Ginger (Grated or chopped Ginger) (optional)
- Sugar or Honey or any sweetener of choice (to taste) (optional)

Notes: You can also add:
        - Peels of 1 orange/lemon,
        - OR 1 apple,
        - OR 1 teaspoon alligator pepper,
        - Or garlic or cinnamon while boiling the zobo leaves.
    **Depending on the amount of pineapple you're using, you might not need any sweetener.
   **In the absence of fresh pineapple, canned ones or pineapple flavor can also be used.
   **If you want a lighter consistency, you can make use of more water.

                    

  PREPARATION OF NIGERIAN ZOBO

1. Rinse the Zobo leaves in sufficient water and set aside.
 Wash the unpeeled pineapple thoroughly,peel of the skin and cut into chunks, but don't throw away the skin, because you'll be making use of it too.

2.  Now, place the washed zobo leaves into a clean pot, add the water, the pineapple chunks and skin, the grated ginger, cloves(if using) and any other ingredients you'll like to add.
  Cover the pot and let the Zobo leaves boil on medium heat for 35 minutes.
  Turn of the heat and leave the pot covered, so that the ingredients can steep a little longer in the hot water and also cool down completely.

3. When the drink cools down,  pour the Zobo leaves and all the contents of the pot through a sieve and into a clean container.
 
4. If you want to, you can add sugar, honey or any sweetener of choice to the strained Zobo drink.
 You can drink it right away, topped up with some iced cubes      OR
 If you'll rather store it for later, pour into an airtight container and chill in the fridge. 

  HEALTH BENEFITS OF ZOBO JUICE

It is loaded with lots of health benefits. 
According to several scientific investigations, the consumption of Zobo leaves, whether in form of tea, jams, or sauces is said.

 1. Zobo juice helps to reduce high blood pressure.

2. Zobo juice aids in digestion.

3. Zobo juice helps promote the health of the urinary tract and also great for overall body health.

4. Zobo juice helps increase the production of blood in the body.

5. It contains Vitamin B3 which helps in the formation of co-enzymes involved in cellular respiration.