Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development

The Beauty of Bissap

Exploring West Africa’s popular refreshment

The Beauty of Bissap

Exploring West Africa’s popular refreshment

By Rob Corliss
February 6, 2024

By Rob Corliss
February 6, 2024

Hibiscus is a flavor-packed ingredient spanning the globe. West Africa’s version of hibiscus tea is called bissap, which is similar to Mexico’s jamaica, often featuring the addition of ginger and mint. Bissap can lend differentiation to beverage menus with a variety of combinations:

  • Make a 50/50 lemonade or limeade bissap.
  • Use hibiscus syrup to flavor iced tea.
  • Add a splash of bissap to pineapple tepache.
  • Blend bissap with citrus sparkling water.
  • Add strawberry or raspberry syrup to bissap.
  • Flavor hot cinnamon-apple cider with bissap.
  • Create bissap cocktails.

Hibiscus is a flavor-packed ingredient spanning the globe. West Africa’s version of hibiscus tea is called bissap, which is similar to Mexico’s jamaica, often featuring the addition of ginger and mint. Bissap can lend differentiation to beverage menus with a variety of combinations:

  • Make a 50/50 lemonade or limeade bissap.
  • Use hibiscus syrup to flavor iced tea.
  • Add a splash of bissap to pineapple tepache.
  • Blend bissap with citrus sparkling water.
  • Add strawberry or raspberry syrup to bissap.
  • Flavor hot cinnamon-apple cider with bissap.
  • Create bissap cocktails.

About the Author

mmRob Corliss is a three-time James Beard House guest chef with more than 30 years of experience that includes running world-class hotels, launching new concepts, working in top marketing agencies and owning the culinary consultancy ATE (All Things Epicurean) since 2009. Based in Nixa, Mo., ATE has an energizing passion focused on flavor innovation and is dedicated to connecting people to their food, environment and wellness. Rob is also a regular contributor to Flavor & The Menu.

 

About The Author

Rob Corliss

Rob Corliss is a three-time James Beard House guest chef with more than 30 years of experience that includes running world-class hotels, launching new concepts, working in top marketing agencies and owning the culinary consultancy ATE (All Things Epicurean) since 2009. Based in Nixa, Mo., ATE has an energizing passion focused on flavor innovation and is dedicated to connecting people to their food, environment and wellness. Rob is also a regular contributor to Flavor & The Menu.