Sipping on Sorrel
Though the sorrel plant as known in Barbados shares its name with a similar plant from Europe, the sorrel plant as we know it originated in Central and West Africa under the name Roselle. While the European sorrel plant is a green leafy vegetable that grows year round, the Caribbean version is technically a species of Hibiscus (hibiscus sabdariffa) that primarily takes around 6 months to mature. Because of this, the plant only bares fruit once a year, usually around December, giving it the title of Christmas flower along with the likes of Poinsettias and Christmas Candles. However, unlike those other flowers, every part of the sorrel plant is edible and packed with nutrients.
Indeed, the flower is rich with calcium (great for bones), magnesium (energy production) and beta-carotene (converts to vitamin A and also gives it its red colour along with flavonoids, themselves a great source of anti-oxidants). Vitamin C, riboflavin and niacin also provide anti-oxidising benefits as well. Even further, this wonder plant has been shown to fight cancer, gout, high blood pressure, the cough and even works as a mild laxative. With its natural cooling properties and health benefits it is no wonder this drink had been used as a health tonic for centuries (Barbados Museum and Historical Society).
Now, while it is known that sorrel became a Christmas tradition in Barbados (and the Caribbean) due to the fact that the plant would usually only available during that time of the year, it should be noted that the drink, and red drinks in general have a known tie to celebration and worthiness in Africa (Henderson 2018). After all, roselle its predecessor has been known to be a favourite of Egyptian Pharaohs of the Nile Valley (Barbados Museum and Historical Society). Therefore, one would be hard pressed to find a greater drink more doubly suited to a Christmas celebration than one defined by seasonality and ancestry.
Sorrel is made by drying sorrel flowers and steeping them in warm water over a period of time along with several spices. The drink varies from island to island and even household to household via the ingredients used to create the drink. However, in Barbados credit is often given to Senator Carmeta Fraser for perfecting the Barbadian sorrel recipe. The Barbadian dignitary hosted a radio program where she emphasised the importance of eating local, with her phrase ‘Lets eat what we grow, grow what we eat’ a staple in Bajan kitchens to this day. Her recipe is as follows:
• 2 cups of dried sorrel
• 3 whole cloves
• 1 ½ tablespoons of grated orange zest
• 1 ½ grated fresh ginger
• 2 quarts of boiling water
• 1 cup of sugar ( ½ cup more if you’ve got a serious sweet tooth)
Place the sorrel and the other ingredients except for the sugar in a large crock or ceramic jug. Pour the boiling water over all and let it steep in a warm, dry place for 48 hours. Strain and add the sugar. Refrigerate for another 48 hours. Serve over ice, a wedge of lime, and an ounce (or two) of rum definitely enhances the drink's Christmas cheer. If you do add rum, Barbados' own Mount Gay is recommended (Barbados Pocket Guide).
While sorrel initially was only available at Christmas time, now it is grown and harvested year round and is readily available. Additionally, dried sorrel can last for months before spoiling and as such, the drink is drunk at any the time of the year in the present day. It is even sold commercially as a carbonated beverage by the Barbados Bottling Company. However, while it may be drunk throughout the year, it is never more popular and never more necessary than during Christmas time.
Bibliography
Henderson, Andrea Y. “Sorrel: The Ruby-Red Caribbean Christmas Drink Flavored with Black History.” NPR. NPR, December 23, 2018. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/12/23/678201636/sorrel-the-ruby-red-caribbean-christmas-drink-flavored-with-black-history#:~:text=%22It's%20just%20essentially%20a%20nod,it%20became%20sorrel%20in%20Jamaica.
“Log into Facebook.” Facebook. Accessed December 16, 2022. https://m.facebook.com/barbadosmuseum/photos/a.405109703382/10152116006318383/?type=3.
“Sorrel Drink.” Barbados Pocket Guide. Accessed December 14, 2022. https://www.barbadospocketguide.com/eat-and-drink-in-barbados/bajan-food-and-drinks/sorrel-drink.html.