Is there any Nigerian who has never tasted this tasty, heavenly drink made from Hibiscus? If there is anyone, I can guarantee that such an individual misses the fun part of life. Keeping healthy is a lifestyle choice every entrepreneur and freelancer is encouraged to adopt and practice. And to successfully do this, our dieting habits will still be deficient without the refreshing nourishment of zobo drink.
Table of Contents
What is Zobo drink?
Zobo drink is a purely non-alcoholic drink made from natural ingredients popularly known in English as Hibiscus Tea, Sorrel Tea e.t.c
Zobo is the Hausa word for the drink, while the edible plant Hibiscus Sabdariffa is called Zoborodo. The drink is refreshing, tasty, and affordable. It can be used for light refreshments at small parties, gatherings, and even at home, along with your preferred snacks.
Popular snacks that can go with it include fried meat or fish, peanuts, moin-moin, akara or bean cake, doughnuts, minced pie, chicken shawarma e.t.c
Please, if you are yet to taste this drink, I have outlined simple steps to make it in this article. It is time to stop depriving yourself of the pure joy that comes with this drink!
How to Make Zobo Drink (Sorrel Drink, Hibiscus Tea)
The exciting thing about zobo drink is that it’s quick and easy to prepare. It requires just simple ingredients and has less preparation time. Isn’t this wonderful?
Let’s dive right into it.
Preparation Time: 5-7 mins
Cook time: 30-35 mins
Total time: 40-45 mins
Ingredients
- 2 cups of zobo leaves -Hibiscus leaves, also known as Sorrel leaves
- Citrus fruits of your choice- Orange, Lemon, Lime, Ginger, Cucumber
- Cloves (2 tablespoons)
- Water
Preparation Process
- Do not soak the leaves without removing all foreign substances, and wash your zobo leaves with warm water.
- Add the zobo leaves into a clean pot and pour in 2.5-3 litres of water.
- Add your grated ginger and cut your cucumber and orange into chunks before adding.
- Cover pot and leave to boil for 30 minutes
- Add sugar to your desired taste. Remember to taste as you add, so you don’t make it too sweet. Please give it a good stir and leave it to cool.
- Sieve through a fine mesh, bottle, and chill in the fridge.
- Serve and garnish with orange and cucumber, and your zobo drink is ready
Many people take zobo for the taste and flavour it brings but never for its health benefits.
As humans, it’s necessary to know what we’re taking in because, with health, there is life! Our body requires the proper nutrients for us to live healthy lives.
Wouldn’t you like to discover how this refreshing drink can contribute to your overall health and vitality? Of course, you want to.
Read also: Amazing Health Benefits of Moringa to Humans.
Health Benefits of Zobo Drink
As said earlier, the zobo drink is made from Roselle leaves (Hibiscus Sabdariffa), and the delicious drink contributes to overall health and vitality because the leaves are highly nutritious.
These leaves contain anti-oxidants, are caffeine-free, and are used to prevent constipation. Most importantly, you can also use them to reduce high blood pressure and hypertension. This is according to a Pharmaceutical microbiologist and biotechnologist, Gurama A. Gurama,
Zobo drink can also be used in pharmaceutical laboratories to produce drugs, chemicals, and antibiotics. Zobo contributes to our overall health in the following ways:
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Fertility improvement
Stimulation of regular menstruation: Irregular menstrual periods can be very problematic. Thinking of it alone can be exhausting.
Zobo drink helps stimulate menstrual processes and this is according to some health scholars. The properties of hibiscus work in such a way that they stimulate the menstrual cycle.
As a result, if you are having trouble with your period regularity as a woman, then zobo drink is what you need to fix the problem.
However, you may stay away from it if you are trying to conceive and have no issues with your menstrual cycle.
Reduction of menstrual pain/cramps: Zobo drink relieves women experiencing menstrual cramps.
Sperm motility improvement (Sperm count): Zobo drink also helps to improve sperm motility/ sperm count. To get the best results, add ginger to it.
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Blood pressure management
Zobo helps manage blood pressure and lower levels of bad cholesterol in the body, thereby preventing heart diseases and protecting blood vessels from damage.
Read also: Important Health Benefits of Tiger Nut.
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Helps in weight loss
Zobo drink can aid in weight loss. The body produces an enzyme known as amylase, which breaks down complex sugar and starch molecules in food. When a person consumes too much carbohydrate-rich food, that individual will most likely gain weight. Zobo drink contains a substance that can inhibit the production of amylase. A person regularly drinking zobo can thus prevent too much absorption of carbohydrates and consequently not gain excess weight. So, the thought of zobo for weight loss is a possibility.
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Supports the digestive system
According to Guardian.ng, the zobo leaf has two varieties; the wine-coloured and the green-coloured. “The green-colored type can be eaten as a side dish or salad, while the wine-colored type can be used for drinks, jelly, sauces, and beverages.
“It contains water, protein, fat, fibre, ash, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid. “Its intake can help the digestive process and stimulate bowel movement; it also prevents inflammation of the urinary tract.
“It filters toxins and prevents Vitamin C deficiency, it lowers blood pressure and controls cholesterol.
It is advised that people take more natural foods or juices rather than processed foods.
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Anti-cancer properties
Also, according to Mrs. Mary Joseph, a nutritionist, in an article published in the Guardian newspaper, the Roselle leaves from which Zobo drink is made from, has enough complete pharmacological effect. “It can prevent stomach cancer and leukemia. And it can also be used to treat mouth sores because of its high vitamin C content.
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Helps the liver function properly
Because of its high rate of anti-oxidants, Zobo drink can help protect the liver against infections by reducing and neutralizing the free radicals in the human body system.
Read also: Health Benefits of Eating Groundnuts for Freelancers and Entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
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Appetite booster
Fiber, carotene, iron, calcium, and other essential nutrients are found in the hibiscus flower, and they help in increasing appetite. With its antibacterial properties, it fights worms and bacteria in the gut and digestive system, which also helps boost appetite.
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It guards against kidney problems
Zobo drink contains vital organic acids like citric acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, and maleic acid. These acids help the kidneys function properly. They help the kidney eliminate uric acid and oxalic acid, which cause kidney stones.
Kidney stones can lead to kidney damage and failure if not treated properly. To get the best result, don’t add sugar or artificial sweeteners when taking zobo for the health of your kidneys.
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The Potentials of Zobo Drink Business Production in Nigeria
Zobo drink provides a very reliable source of income. If well managed and done correctly, it can grow to become a very stable company in years to come.
In this new year, it will be vital to consider this option as it is easy to prepare, requires minimal affordable capital, and is well-loved by all and sundry.
Here are the important things you need to note before starting a Zobo drink business:
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Brand name
For any business, it’s important to have a verified brand name. Your brand name functions like your real name, thereby providing you with easy recognition and identification.
If your Zobo drink is well produced, with an attractive brand name and logo, it won’t be long before it goes viral all over the states in Nigeria, producing a substantial source of income for you!
Take time to provide a brand name for your business, and register it immediately to avoid legal issues.
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Bottle/packaging
Next, you must decide your means of packaging and how it will be available to the customers. Will it be available in disposable sachets, packs, or bottles? Or will it be available in dried form to be mixed and taken with water? Do you want it to be precisely natural as it always is? Make these decisions and follow through with them.
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Hygiene
This is important and should be your first priority when preparing your product. Unhygienic preparation of your products can cause an outbreak of diarrhoea for your customers. Remember that your zobo drink should make people healthy and not sick.
So please take note of all the production processes from the farm to the table, making sure that everything is well done and in a hygienic environment.
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Marketing strategy
Marketing is important for your business because it makes the customers aware of your products or services, engages them, and helps them make the buying decision.
Therefore, marketing is pivotal in making your business a huge success. Without understanding the importance of marketing, it may be challenging to manage and run a profitable business in today’s world.
To succeed in your Zobo drink production business, you need to learn the right marketing strategies to help you stay on top of your game.
Read also: 7 Things Entrepreneurs Should Know About Marketing.
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Business continuity
Please do not start a business activity that you will not be able to maintain. Like the woman who sells bean cake (akara) by the street and refuses to open shop on a particular day, you could lose trust and credibility.
Plan for your business and execute it with vision, courage, and tenacity. This is essential to succeed in Nigeria.
Why You Need to Take Zobo Drink as an Entrepreneur or Freelancer?
As an entrepreneur or a freelancer (someone working from home or remotely like me), you will need a healthy diet combination to consistently produce superior output for your customers and clients.
And to always stay on top of your game, taking zobo drink will help you achieve the following:
Body and mind rejuvenation
Have you ever eaten a meal or taken a soft drink and felt relaxed immediately? Most times, you settle down for a good nap. And you can tell that anytime you wake up from that experience, you are rejuvenated, alive, and ready to take on a new project. New ideas can be generated and workflows enhanced.
So when next you are experiencing writer’s block, take a chilled Zobo drink and relax. Trust me, I can’t wait to hear your testimonies thereafter.
Read also: Amazing Health Benefits of Alligator Pepper for Nigerians.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this nourishing drink can serve as a means of refreshment, an enhancement for your health, and at the same time improve your daily source of income. Trust me, now is the perfect time to grab that ice-cold glass of zobo drink. Cheers to a happy life!
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About the Author
Chidinma Glory Marcus is a Professional writer and Poet who has written over 10 fiction stories, 200 poems and captivating articles, and has received several outstanding awards and recognitions for her works.
About Author
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