Roselle: Exploring Health Benefits and Uses

(Updated Version)

Roselle, a variety of the hibiscus family (Hibiscus sabdariffa), is known by many names worldwide, including Sorelle, Gongura, Karkadeh, and Bissap. Its glossy, bright red bloom is truly eye-catching, but there’s more to Roselle than its looks. This plant is packed with incredible health benefits that make it a popular choice in both traditional and modern wellness practices. Let’s dive into some of Roselle’s top health benefits and versatile uses (THE BEGINNERS ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GROWING HERBS). 

Health Benefits of Roselle

Rich in Antioxidants

High in vitamin C and anthocyanins, promoting skin health and reducing oxidative stress.

 

Supports Heart Health

Helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol for a healthy cardiovascular system.

 

Aids in Digestion

Gentle laxative effects support healthy digestion and gut balance.

 

Weight Management

Regulates metabolism and reduces body fat, aiding in weight management.

 

Immune System Booster

High in vitamin C, enhancing immune resilience.

 

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Alleviates symptoms of arthritis and inflammatory conditions.

Growing and Cultivating Roselle

Growing Roselle at home is relatively simple and rewarding. Here are a couple of methods to start your Roselle garden (HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR TORCH GINGER). 

Starting from a Stem
All you need is a single stem to begin. Roselle plants multiply as their fruits form, and if left alone, the seeds within the fruits will naturally drop, sprouting new plants. Buy a small plant, and you’ll soon have a thriving roselle garden with minimal effort.

 

Propagating from Cuttings
Alternatively, pluck off the leaves and allow the stems to sit in water until roots appear. Once rooted, you can plant the stems directly in soil. With regular watering and a bit of organic fertilizer, you’ll see flowers and fruits flourishing in no time.

Uses of Roselle

Beyond health benefits, Roselle is highly valued for its versatility. Here are some popular uses of this vibrant plant:

 

Nutritional Supplement
Rich in essential vitamins and antioxidants, Roselle is consumed globally as a supplement for immunity, digestion, and heart health. It’s a natural way to incorporate beneficial nutrients into your diet.

 

Traditional Medicine
For centuries, Roselle has been a staple in traditional medicine, used to treat ailments like coughs, fever, and digestive issues due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

 

Natural Dye
The deep red calyces of Roselle are used as a natural dye for textiles and food. This vibrant color provides an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes.

 

Culinary Uses of Roselle
Roselle is widely used in cooking, adding a unique tangy flavor and vibrant color to various dishes. Here are some simple ways to incorporate Roselle into your culinary repertoire:

 

Roselle Juice
To make refreshing Roselle juice, peel the calyces, remove the seeds, and wash them thoroughly. Blend with water to your desired consistency and add honey for sweetness and/or lemon juice for tanginess. You can choose to strain the juice or leave it unstrained, as the fruit contains fiber and is packed with health benefits, making it a delicious and nutritious drink.

Roselle Jam

To make Roselle jam, clean the calyces and cook them in a pot with sugar and water until they reach a thick, jam-like consistency. This jam can also be diluted with water to make a fruity Roselle drink.

Chutney from Roselle Leaves

Known as sour leaves, Roselle leaves can be used to make a tangy chutney. Boil the leaves to reduce their sourness, mash them, and temper with curry leaves, shallots, and dried chilies for a flavorful side dish. Add salt to taste, and enjoy this unique twist on traditional chutney.

Roselle in Lamb Curry

Add Roselle calyces to lamb, mutton, chicken, or fish curry for a natural burst of sourness, which eliminates the need for tamarind or tomatoes. The calyces also give the dish a rich, red hue that adds visual appeal and depth of flavor.

From its impressive health benefits to its vibrant uses in the kitchen and traditional medicine, Roselle is a plant worth exploring. It’s easy to grow, visually appealing, and loaded with potential for improving overall health and wellness. Whether you’re sipping on Roselle tea, making chutney from the leaves, or adding a pop of color with Roselle juice, this versatile plant has a place in every garden and kitchen.

 

Wouldn’t you agree that growing Roselle is a worthy endeavor? With all its benefits, uses, and easy cultivation methods, Roselle truly deserves a spot in your garden and a staple role in your Zen routine.

(Ms. Nava is a dynamic individual in her 60s, leading yoga sessions at Nava's Zen while also embracing her passion for gardening through Zen Blooming. With credentials in gardening and extensive experience, she cultivates a serene environment that reflects her commitment to Zen, inspiring others to find balance and tranquility in their lives).

Moringa/Drumstick Leaves Stir-Fry Recipe

(Updated Version)

Packed with nutrients, the moringa tree - along with its flowers and drumsticks—is a true blessing for humankind. In the 21st century, where the race for success and wealth often takes a toll on our health, moringa leaves offer a powerful Zen solution. Although cleaning the leaves by pulling them from the stems can be time-consuming, the effort is absolutely worth it, as moringa leaves are celebrated as a Zen superfood. I’ve made this moringa and drumstick leaves stir-fry countless times, both in vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions. The only difference lies in one ingredient: you can choose to add dried shrimps or dried anchovies, or simply leave them out.

The Beginner's Ultimate Guide to Growing Herbs

(Updated Version)

Gardening is a fulfilling practice that contributes to your overall sustainable zen. It’s also about preserving our eco-world, not just for today but for future generations. Having equipped ourselves with the basic and essential tips on gardening, let’s now move on to the art of growing herbs (ESSENTIAL GARDENING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS).

Take it from Ms. Nava, who has been gardening for over 20 years - a journey filled with its share of mishaps. While some gardening challenges are inevitable, let me share with you my guide to growing herbs.

Manjoe Taiwanese Dumplings (Kota Kemuning): A Rainbow of Colors

A few days ago, while in the midst of grocery shopping for our home, I stumbled upon Manjoe Taiwanese Dumplings in Kota Kemuning. The Rainbow Dumpling immediately caught my attention with its vibrant colors:

Earthy Green Spinach/Chives 

Bright Yellow Pumpkin/Signature 
Soft Red Beetroot/Spicy Kimchi 
Vibrant Blue Butterfly Peas Flowers/Fresh Prawns 
Original/Fresh Fish 
Mellow Black Charcoal/Cabbage  ...........all crafting a holistic wellness color allure on my palate.

Turmeric Fish Recipes: Malay Malaysian Styles

(Updated Version)

Turmeric speaks for itself with its well-known health benefits (TURMERIC RICE RECIPE).. Let’s focus on how to make turmeric fish, using fresh turmeric grown at Nava’s Zen. It’s not just the fresh turmeric but also the turmeric leaves used for wrapping the fish. There are two variations, both popular Malay Malaysian styles (BEST MALAY OKRA RECIPE). These recipes may not follow traditional standards, but they are unique and truly exceptional.

Vegetable Kurma Recipe: Malaysian Style Curry

Kurma curry, whichever the style, whether made purely with vegetables or with meat, always comes down to one choice. A homemade kurma paste or a store-bought kurma powder.

For those who love home-cooked meals but need to save time, ready-made kurma powder is not a let-down. The foundation of the curry is there. As for the vegetables, the assortment is entirely up to you (POTATO CURRY VEGETARIAN). 

 

But what makes a Malaysian Style Kurma special? It’s the addition of Southeast Asian herbs. One version that closely resembles it is the Sri Lankan kurma. Also features pandan (screwpine) leaves and lemongrass, fragrant elements that give the curry its tropical lift.

Essential Gardening Tips for Beginners

(Updated Version)

Congrats on taking the first step toward gardening (GARDENING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS). Whether you're working with a small patch or a larger plot, it’s always exciting to start your own garden. After cleaning up your plot, it’s time to dive into some essential gardening tips for beginners. Let’s get started.

 

Define Your Garden's Concept

It’s helpful to have a rough idea of the concept or theme for your garden. If you’re still deciding, don’t worry. A clear concept will give you direction as you begin. For instance, my garden’s theme is Zen, which led me to incorporate bamboo plants, stones, and pebbles. You could also choose a modern, traditional, or minimalistic theme. Without a clear concept, you may be planting without direction, so it’s worth spending some time thinking about what resonates with you.

The Charcoal Grill: An Entrepreneurial Triumph

Embarking on a remarkable entrepreneurial journey that began as a humble stall in a Kota Kemuning coffee shop in 2017, The Charcoal Grill has undergone a remarkable transformation, now standing as a full-fledged restaurant located at 28-1, Jln Anggerik Vanilla BE 31/BE, Kota Kemuning, 40460 Shah Alam, Selangor. As one of their patrons from the early stall days, I have always appreciated their grilled platters, particularly the succulent lamb chops. Recently, together with my other half-half, we dined in to experience their expanded offerings and revamped ambiance.

How to Make Herbed Rice (Vegetarian Nasi Ulam)

Cooking with herbs, growing your own herbs, and adding herbs into your dishes, it all comes together beautifully. For those growing your own herbs, making herbed rice will be simple. For the rest, it's about buying. But fret not, even if you're in another part of the world outside of Asian countries or Malaysia, herbed rice is still possible. Use herbs that are easily available - even rosemary, thyme, or whatever you can find locally.

For Asians, our local herbs generally include lemongrass (serai), kaffir lime leaves (daun limau purut), turmeric leaves (daun kunyit), torch ginger flower (bungka kantan) or even Thai betel leaves (daun kaduk), some of the common ones. There are also other herbs, some with names unfamiliar even to many Malaysians. Still, it’s all about what you can get, the types of herbs you have access to.

The Grand Mapillai Restaurant Culinary Adventure

My other half-half has joined me in the exciting pursuit of discovering new eateries, a refreshing departure from his usual routine of sticking to familiar places and dishes. The news of his enthusiasm for suggesting novel dining spots was particularly thrilling, considering his previous tendency to opt for the same old eateries and stick to familiar dishes, playing it safe rather than venturing into culinary exploration. I've noticed that people's dining preferences are often influenced by those they choose to share meals with. Some tend to shy away from trying new eateries or exploring unfamiliar dishes unless compelled to by more adventurous companions (Ding Xiang Bak Kut Teh). I've made it a point to avoid dining with those who limit themselves to predictable and mundane food choices.

Easy Pumpkin Curry with Coconut Milk Recipe

(Updated Version)

Who wants to spend hours in the kitchen cooking? Not me! I prefer keeping cooking easy and straightforward. As I’ve mentioned before, it starts with the ingredients you have in your pantry and fridge, creating a delicious meal in no time (EASY SPINACH LENTIL CURRY).

 

Enter Easy Pumpkin Curry with Coconut Milk. Mildly spicy, creamy from the coconut milk (COCONUT MILK CHICKEN CURRY), tangy with the taste of tomatoes, and featuring soft, tender pumpkin pieces. Sounds amazing, right? Of course! This is an oilless, vegetarian, and vegan version with a healthy impact.

Potato Sambal Recipe: Vegetarian

No Malaysian meal is complete without sambal – the spicy chili gravy that flavors everything from rice to noodles and stir-fries. Made from dried chilies, fresh chilies, or a combination of both, sambal is a staple of Malaysian food culture (KERABU BENDI/OKRA SALAD VEGETARIAN).

Potatoes are another favourite ingredient in Malaysian cuisine, and when cooked with sambal, they create the delicious Potato Sambal. This vegetarian version is full of bold, spicy flavors, balanced by the natural sweetness of shallots and the tang of lime juice.

 

Ideal as a side for rice or as a main accompaniment, Potato Sambal is loved by vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike (ACAR TIMUN/CUCUMBER SALAD).

Pork Chops Recipe - Chinese Style

Chinese-style pork chops are a delicious twist on classic pork chops, easy to prepare and full of bold, Asian flavours. Unlike Western-style versions, this Chinese pork chops recipe uses a simple marinade made with common Chinese ingredients like soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, and garlic. The best part? You can marinate the chops ahead of time and keep them in the fridge,  or freeze them, for a quick and easy meal later (WILD BOAR CURRY RECIPE).

 

Want to take it further? Try Chinese fusion pork chops by adding butter while cooking for extra richness. You can also mix in green peas or sliced red chillies instead of the usual chilli sauce for that spicy kick loved in Asian pork dishes.

Coconut Chicken Curry Recipe - Indian Style

(Updated Version)

Is Indian food Kerala food? Is Kerala cuisine also Indian cuisine? While you ponder, let’s get to the recipe. It’s a Kerala Indian coconut chicken curry (AUTHENTIC INDIAN CHICKEN CURRIES). How can a Kerala chicken curry be complete without coconut milk and a blend of spices for that punchy, spicy, and creamy thick curry with tender chicken pieces? Get your place of rice and a raw salad (BEST INDIAN NO COOK SALADS) and picture pouring Coconut Chicken Curry and enjoying it with your fingers and hands. Oh-Wow! 

Potato Curry - Vegetarian

When one of the favorite ingredients goes into a curry, it’s a bomb of deliciousness. Potatoes, beloved worldwide, appear in countless dishes, each unique in its own way. From French fries and mashed potatoes to stir-fries and, of course, Indian potato curries, this versatile vegetable shines in every form.

You can also add moringa sticks or fruits from the Moringa tree, also known as Murunggakai or Murungai, though the curry is equally delicious without them (EGG CURRY WITH MORINGA).

Fish Curry with Coconut Milk - Sri Lankan Style

Nothing comes close to the flavor of fresh coconut milk. Creamy, mildly sweet, and nutty, it adds a natural creaminess that elevates any fish curry with coconut milk. When fresh coconut milk isn’t available, canned or packaged coconut milk can be used, and some even use cream for curries.

However, in classic Kerala Fish Curry (KERALA TOURIST SPOTS) or Sri Lankan-style fish curry, fresh coconut milk truly shines, melding beautifully with the spices to release its aroma. Smooth, velvety, and subtly earthy, it gives the curry a pure, fresh taste rather than a heavy feel. 

Even when prepared in a Malaysian kitchen (SALTED FISH CURRY WITH PINEAPPLE), fresh coconut milk ensures the dish remains authentically flavorful.