If you know me, you know I’m big on making stuff myself. I’m also a big experimenter.
Last Saturday, I bought a 1 kg of roselle for RM4 from Lorong Kulit to make my own Ribena.
Roselle is a tropical fruit from the Hibiscus family; the fruit has 5 lobes or calyxes of the deepest velvety maroon.
What’s great about this fruit is that you can make your own natural ribena drink! It’s full of vitamin C and according to the fruit seller, it helps reduces cholesterol and prevents hypertension.
If eaten as it is, it is tart! So tart your ears will start growing. I suggest you make it into a drink. Below is a photo of the roselle seeds after you’ve peeled the calyxes.
How to make roselle syrup
To make your own roselle syrup, peel 1 kg of the fruit. Discard the seeds. What you want is the calyxes.
Into a pot, add these calyxes with 4 cups of caster sugar and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, uncovered . Then simmer gently for 45 minutes or until water has been reduced by half and there’s a sticky, jelly-like consistency. Let it cool and store in a glass jar in the fridge.
You can discard the boiled calyxes but if you want a good chew, don’t throw it away.
When you want a refreshing drink, take 1 tablespoon of this roselle syrup and mix with cold water. Stir well and enjoy!
But what if you don’t have 1 kg of roselle but have a handful? Then you can make a weak roselle tea. Peel enough calyx, add water and boil for 15 minutes. Sweeten with honey and serve. If you have 1 kg like me, it’s best to make the syrup and store for later consumption.
June 14th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Sometimes I saw these Roselles at the market near my flat but they don’t look as good as the ones you got :S You like sugary stuff super lot don’t you?
I have second thoughts on eating it. Once I bought a packet of dried Roselles from Bangsar Village. Chewed some and after half a day, I puked. Can still see those indigested Roselle bits. Gross but true.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Not really…I’m not that much into sweet stuff. I just like creating my own stuff and making sure I am not drinking additives that’s found in OTHER sugary stuff.
June 17th, 2008 at 10:14 am
my mum makes this once in a while and I love it
June 21st, 2008 at 12:53 am
I never knew this, you know! I didn’t even know what those stuff were called and that you can make Ribena out of them!
Thanks!
June 27th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Hi Marsha: Now that you know, go get some and make it for your kids. Cheap and good!
July 1st, 2008 at 1:25 pm
You forgot the Vodka!
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:03 am
Haha, trust you to add the heady element! Yes, vodka….. mmmmm. When will you be in Kuching again, O Vodka Master?
July 10th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Don’t really know…Gawai 2008?Or when I find a Kuching Chabo with money who wants to marry me.
July 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Hear that Sarawak ladies? Anyone wants CooknEngr as a husband? He’s a really sweet guy plus he is American! He’s from Sarawak, naturally but has made his home in the US for so long now and loves to cook. What more does any woman want? Visit http://www.cooknengr.com/blog2/ for recipes, vodka recipes and yes, for an insight into the man himself.