West Africa · Drink
Bissap (Spiced Hibiscus Flower and Mint Infusion)
Deep ruby-red hibiscus flower cooler brewed with crushed ginger, fresh mint, and orange blossom essence over cracked ice.
The story
Commonly enjoyed throughout southern Mauritania along the Senegal River basin by Wolof, Fula, and Soninke communities, Bissap is ubiquitous in town markets to combat harsh Sahelian temperatures. The infusion utilizes the fleshy dried calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa, prized since antiquity for its high vitamin C and electrolyte content. While Senegambian styles often lean purely floral, Mauritanian riverine vendors frequently spike their brew with ginger root and Selim pepper to impart a warming counterpoint to the tart chill.
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