Bisap, also known as Sogbolo in most parts of the country, is a very popular drink in Ghana. Sold mostly in plastic bags by women and children who roam about town screaming "sogbolo", this drink is usually drank cold.
However, most Ghanaians would rather drink a bottle of Coca Cola which contains no nutrients than take this highly nutritious drink because of the way it is packaged and sold. Maybe I should tell you guys what you are missing by not taking "Sogbolo"
From my research on Bisap, my findings revealed the following:
Bisap is rich in Vitamin C, which helps in the healing of wounds and also improves iron absorption from the gut. This in turn promotes red blood cell formation and prevents anaemia.
It may have some anti-hypertensive properties. Hypertensive patients can also take it to control their blood pressure.
Bisap is rich in antioxidants which help in neutralizing FREE RADICALS that are responsible for causing damage to our cells in the form of cancers.
So what are you waiting for? Bisap is far lower in calories than the Cokes, Fantas etc. Switch choices please..............
Oh!! And if you are worried about the source of water used in making this drink outside, then try making it at home. Its easy to prepare and the ingredients are more than affordable.
I hope you follow this recipe and enjoy the results of your decision.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups dried hibiscus flowers (bissap) . For those who do not know what the flowers look like, check the pix.
1/2 teaspoon vanilla, rum or any flavoring of your choice
sugar to taste (probably 1 to 2 cups; or sugar substitute)
5 cups of boiling water
PROCEDURE
- Bring the water to a boil. While it's heating, put the 2 cups of hibiscus flowers in a metal strainer in the sink and rinse them lightly with water to remove any sand or grit they might contain (the dried flowers bleed immediately, so make sure you keep the strainer in the sink).
- Put the rinsed flowers into the pot of boiling water and it boil for 20-30 minutes.
- Strain and let it sit for at least 4 hours.
- Then make your sugar syrup and add the flavoring.
- After both syrup and drink cool, mix and put in fridge to chill.
And Voila!!! You are ready to savor this tasty delight.
Awwwww Enyo. You've done it again. I have seen a couple of my friends always buying this drink anytime we visit Newtown, Maamobi or even Nima. I keep asking them, what at all do they get from drinking this "thing" and they would go like, you don't know what you missing. I'm glad for the info about this. I'm done with coca-cola. Bisap all the way...!!! Nice post...
ReplyDelete@ Mac-Jordan: Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you found this post insightful and, i hope you are able to flee from the tempting clutches of Coca-cola. After all, we know how addictive coke can be but I'd rather you got addicted to Bissap.. Lol!!
ReplyDeleteI looove bisap. Tart with not too much ginger. Especially when the little baggie of it has been chilled so it is like slushie! I have also been know to mix bisap gin and tonic.
ReplyDelete