How to Make Flor de Manita Tea: The Method, the Smoky Flavor, and How It Differs from Hibiscus

By Suhail Rivera, JD, founder of Alkaline Herb Shop

To make flor de manita tea, add 2 to 3 chunks of dried flor de manita to 8 ounces of boiling water, cover, and steep for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain. Drink it hot or iced. The dried flowers are sturdy, so they hold up to a long, covered steep without turning bitter. That is the whole method. The rest of this guide covers the smoky flavour, how to serve it, and how it differs from hibiscus, which people often confuse it with.

How to make flor de manita tea, step by step

1. Add 2 to 3 chunks of dried flor de manita to an 8 ounce cup.
2. Pour boiling water over them.
3. Cover and steep 10 to 15 minutes. The flowers are sturdy and want the long steep.
4. Strain and drink, hot or iced.

What does flor de manita taste like?

Subtle and lightly smoky. It is a gentle, mild cup rather than a strong or sharp one, which surprises people who expect a bold flavour from such a dramatic looking flower. If you like a quiet, smoky tea, this is one.

Does flor de manita have caffeine?

No. Flor de manita is naturally caffeine free, so it is an easy cup at any time of day.

How is it different from hibiscus?

They are completely different plants, and people mix them up only because both are red flowers sold dried. Hibiscus, or flor de jamaica, is sharp, sour and bright red in the cup. Flor de manita is mild, smoky and much paler. If you want a tart, ruby drink, that is hibiscus. If you want a gentle, smoky one, that is flor de manita.

What is flor de manita?

Flor de manita is one of the most unusual flowers in the plant world. It grows on the hand flower tree, Chiranthodendron pentadactylon, and each bright red bloom really does look like a small open hand with five curling fingers. That shape gave it the English name devil's hand flower and the Spanish mano de leon. The tree grows in the highlands of Mexico and Central America, where the dried flowers have been brewed as tea for centuries. Ours are organic or wildcrafted flor de manita from Honduras, just the dried flowers with nothing added. We make no health claims for it.

Who should not drink flor de manita tea

• Do not use it during pregnancy or while nursing.
• It is not recommended for anyone under 18.
• If you have a medical condition or take prescription medicine, speak to your doctor first.

How to store flor de manita

Keep it tightly closed in a dry place at room temperature, 59 to 86°F. Kept dry and sealed, the dried flowers stay good for a couple of years.

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Suhail Rivera is the founder of Alkaline Herb Shop, which sources and sells the 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.