Flor de Manita vs Hibiscus: What's the Difference, and Which Should You Drink?

By Suhail Rivera, JD, founder of Alkaline Herb Shop

Flor de manita and hibiscus get confused for one reason: both are red flowers sold dried. In the cup they could hardly be more different. Hibiscus is sharp, sour and bright ruby red. Flor de manita is mild, smoky and much paler. They are completely different plants from different parts of the world, and if you are choosing between them, the difference comes down to whether you want a bold tart drink or a gentle smoky one.

The quick answer

Choose hibiscus, or flor de jamaica, for a tart, refreshing, ruby red drink, the one behind agua de jamaica. Choose flor de manita for a mild, lightly smoky, pale cup. They are not substitutes for each other, because they taste nothing alike.

How they taste

Hibiscus is tart and fruity, close to cranberry, with a clean sour edge and a deep red colour. Flor de manita is subtle and smoky, gentle rather than sharp, and much paler in the cup. Hibiscus is the loud one, and flor de manita is the quiet one.

What they are

Hibiscus is Hibiscus sabdariffa, the deep red flower called flor de jamaica in Spanish, grown widely and sold everywhere. Flor de manita is the flower of the hand flower tree, Chiranthodendron pentadactylon, a rare bloom shaped like a small open hand, from the highlands of Mexico and Central America. Different plants, different families, different flavours.

How you brew each

Hibiscus is quick: 1 teaspoon per cup, steeped 5 to 10 minutes, and it gives up its colour and tartness fast, as our guide to making hibiscus tea and agua de jamaica shows. Flor de manita is slower: 2 to 3 chunks per cup, covered, steeped 10 to 15 minutes, because the sturdy dried flowers take longer, as in our guide to making flor de manita tea. Both are caffeine free.

Which should you buy?

Choose dried hibiscus flowers if you want a tart, ruby drink or want to make agua de jamaica. Choose flor de manita if you want a mild, smoky, pale cup and a beautiful, unusual flower. Both are organic or wildcrafted, with nothing added, and neither has caffeine.

One note for both

Neither is recommended during pregnancy or nursing, or for anyone under 18. If you have a medical condition or take prescription medicine, speak to your doctor first.

Suhail Rivera is the founder of Alkaline Herb Shop, which sources and sells the hibiscus and flor de manita described in this article.

Suhail Rivera is not a medical professional. This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting any herb, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.