What is hibiscus tea? Roselle juice? Flor de Jamaica? Karkadé? Health and medical benefits of hibiscus drinks

Rozelle, sorrel, agua de Jamaica and carcadé are some of the many names for a citrusy cold and hot drink made from the hibiscus plant and consumed all over the world.

Hibiscus sabdariffa flower by Melop

Served icy cold, the tart, grape juice-like drink is commonly called roselle juice in English. Served hot, it's usually known as hibiscus tea or Jamaica tea.

However, hibiscus, roselle, rozelle, Florida cranberry, flor de Jamaica, Jamaica sorrel, Indian sorrel, Guinea sorrel, sorrel, red sorrel, saril, sour-sour, Queensland jelly plant, jelly okra and lemon bush are just some of the English names for the plant that supplies the flavoring and edible ingredient.

Thailand Factory Outlets for Glassware, China and Cookware

Visit factory outlets for Lotus Crystal, Mikasa, Hadeland, Silverstone, Ecco and other brands of glasses, porcelain bone china and cooking pans.

Lotus Crystal

Tens of thousands of brand-name products from clothing to jewelry to appliances are manufactured in Thailand and exported overseas. Unfortunately, not many have real factory outlet shops, although the term "factory outlet" is slapped on many discount shops in Thailand. Lotus Crystal, Royal Bone China, Meyer and Ecco shoes are three genuine factory outlets.

Lotus Crystal in Rayong for Mikasa, Hadeland, Kagami ...

Founded in the early 1990s by a Swiss engineer, Lotus Crystal makes premium-quality lead crystal glasses, bowls and vases. Products are exported to Europe, Japan, Taiwan and the United States under such brand names as Mikasa, Calvin Klein, Darlington Crystal, Hadeland Glassverk and Kagami Crystal. Wine glasses and other stemware are mouth-blown by 160 top craftsmen.

Night Bazaars of Bangkok – Punnawithi (Siam Paradise) and Onnut

Siam Paradise Night Bazaar Market are better, safer alternatives to sleazy old Patpong night market.

Siam Paradise Night Market gate

T-shirts, beach shorts, sunglasses, leather and cloth handbags, wallets, phone cases, silk and pashmina shawls, button-down dress shirts with pirated logos, alleged hill tribe crafts, underwear, jewelry, wooden and plastic toys, fake Rolexes, real cheap watches, pirated DVDs, artwork ... nearly all these souvenirs are sold during the day at sidewalk stalls wherever foreign tourists congregate. 

The main virtue of night markets is that so much of this merchandise can be found all in one place. There’s more space and less stress. In the case of  Siam Paradise Night Bazaar and, to some extent, the Onnuj, Ratchada and Weekend Train markets, permanent structures mean there are also bigger, bulkier and more expensive items, such as sculpture, dinnerware and fine jewelry.

As for the sleazy Patpong bazaar, nobody normal likes shopping there. The temporary tables and stalls are crammed into the already crowded lane and spill onto the broken sidewalks of Silom Road. Vendors are pushy. Shoppers are constantly jostled by schlubby old sex tourists, drunker middle-aged ones, aggressive transsexual prostitutes, sex show touts, pickpockets,