PALMETTO, Fla. — A few ingredients and 15 minutes stand between you and Zobo tea.

Zobo tea has roots in Nigeria, and it’s on the menu at Happy Soul, a vegan stop in Palmetto.

What You Need To Know

  •  Happy Soul in Palmetto offers vegan food

  •  Zobo Tea is made from hibiscus flowers and has its roots in Africa

  •  Owner Paula Tromp says she makes food fresh and without additives

  • Tromp began making vegan dishes for her health and wants to share her knowledge and dishes

It’s made from hibiscus flower petals and sepals, which are the green part just under the flower.

Happy Souls' Paula Tromp says her vegan diet is eating food the way God intended — fresh and without additives. She says she wants to share her knowledge and dishes.

We first met Tromp in 2020 — during the Our Life in the Time of Coronavirus series — sharing a space with friend and baker Valencia Mitchell.

They’ve moved spaces and cities, and are both are still cooking.

Zobo Tea

Ingredients

  • Half-gallon water
  • 1 cup of hibiscus flowers
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 inches of ginger root
  • 1 whole fresh pineapple
  • 3 oranges
  • Sweeten to your liking with your sweetener of choice. Chef uses agave.

Preparation

  1. Bring water to boil with all ingredients, except sweetener.
  2. Boil 15 minutes, and steep for 15 minutes.
  3. Drain, sweeten and enjoy hot or cold.