Sobolo leave,

What is Sobolo

Sobolo is a hibiscus drink made from Hibscus/Roselle petals, not to be confused with hibiscus tea. The hibiscus used for this drink is said to be indigenous to West and East Africa. It may have made it’s way west to the Caribbean by way of the slave trade. Different cultures make this drink very differently. Even in West Africa there is quite some regional diversity. I have seen Zobo that is made with cloves, pineapple (peel and fruit), ginger and cloves. In Ghana, we pack in the spices ( I mean this is nothing new because we Ghanaians love heat). Our sobolo can include ginger, pineaple (peel, fruit and leaves from the crown), ginger, cloves, dried chilis (yes you heard that right), black peppercorn, grains of paradise (gives a kick), grains of selim and calabash nutmeg. Yes it is a lot but it makes it very distinct. I have seen other variations of what I have detailed in different West African countries, and I have seen recipes that are as simple as the hibiscus petals, steeped in hot water with sugar and maybe oranges. When you cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean, you will see that their sorrel drink has oranges and cinnamon sticks. Every person adds their own flair to it