Native African fruits that have created million-dollar industries outside the continent

Roselle plant — Photo Credit: healthbenefitstimes.com

Roselle Plant

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Much like the origin of most Caribbean foods can be traced to Africa and were brought to the ‘New World’ during the slave trade, the ‘Hibiscus Sabdariffa’ or Roselle plant has its roots in West Africa. Most of these plants were carried along during the slave trade and managed to thrive in Caribbean regions due to favourable weather conditions that are very similar to the weather in Africa.

This flower is used to produce Sorrel, the very popular Caribbean festive drink. The sepals of the flower are also dried and exported all over the world for the preparation of the drink, jams and pastries.

Sorrel drink