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Jamaica Flower

The Hibiscus Sabdariffa although referred to as Jamaica flower, is actually more often known as hibiscus calyxes, the cover over the blossoms before they open. This Jamaica flower is used in Mexico for a spicy deep red “cooler” or drink called the Aqua de Jamaica. Other names of this Jamaica flower include “Roselle”, “Jamaica Sorrel”, “Flores de Jamaica”, or “Hibiscus Flowers”.

The Jamaica flower is a native from India to Malaysia and is presently widely grown all through the tropics and subtropics. The flower is about eight to ten centimeters in width and has a white to pale yellow with dark red spot color at the base of each petal. It also has a fat fleshy calyx at the base starting from one to two centimeters wide and enlarging to three or three and a half centimeters with fleshy and bright red color as the fruit matures. It is a yearly plant that takes about six months to mature.

The Jamaica flower can be bought in nearly all Mexican grocery stores and markets as well as health food shops. Always choose a Jamaica flower with deep red color and avoid the older faded flowers, and store them in a container with a tight fitting lid or zip lock bag in a cool, dry place for up to a year.

A Jamaica flower as well as its leaves is used medicinally in Mexico, Africa, and India. A variety of combinations are used as cholerectic, febrifugal, diuretic, and hypotensive. An animal study has shown that an extract made from the Jamaica flower decreased the absorption rate of alcohol and a similar mixture is used in Guatemala as a hangover cure. In addition, it has been used as a lotion for wounds and sores.

Other uses of the Jamaica flower include fountain drinks such as tea, and as a mild diuretic. With the coming of US interest in south-of-the-border cuisines, the calyces of this Jamaica flower has been exported and sold in bags labeled “Flor de Jamaica”, and have been used in making tea that is rich in vitamin C and particularly good for people who have a problem with water retention.

However, the most famous of all the uses of this Jamaica flower is the Jamaica drink called Agua de Jamaica specifically popular in Mexico as well. The drink is made of the calyces of the flower and is one of the several affordable, healthy, and refreshing drinks naturally made from fresh juices or extracts of the flower. The drink is set by steeping the calyces in boiling water, straining the concoction, pressing the calyces to juice it out and adding sugar, stirring, and serving it chilled.

This Jamaica flower is just as diverse as the island itself, don’t miss out on taking a sip of this famous Jamaica drink when you’re in the island to really get a taste of Jamaica.

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Jamaica Villas

An island with six mountain ranges, one hundred twenty rivers, and one hundred fifty miles of beach, the island of Jamaica facets countless irresistible charms. A world of lush rain forests meeting the savannah-like plains, antediluvian mountains carved from volcanoes that tumble into the sapphire sea, catching reggae music that keeps guest tapping their feet, unique culture, and friendly people are just some of the island’s remarkable features.

The island’s accommodations is as diverse as Jamaica itself, with lodgings ranging from all-inclusive luxurious hotels, to charming guesthouses, to cozy bed and breakfasts, to homey apartments, and to plush villas. Visitors of the island will surely find something that suits their tastes when it comes to places to stay in.

Jamaica villas are one of the best choices of lodging especially when visitors want to sway away from the usual hotel atmosphere. A lot of people are sometimes unsure of what villas really are. Villas is a most commonly used term in the Mediterranean when referring to a vacation home. Jamaica villas most of the time are condominiums or time-shares. Jamaica villas are private residences with pools and are fully staffed, with some locations on the beach and the rest on the mountainside with scenic views. Jamaica villas allow big savings on accommodations because guests usually rent directly from the owner and avoid commissions. There are numerous villas in Jamaica that visitors can choose from, vary in prizes, sizes, and amenities.

Wag Water is a pleasant three-bedroom villa that overlooks the sea and forms part of the historic Prospect Estate. The mixture of spacious living room equipped with modern amenities such as telephone, CD stereo system, and satellite TV, together with an extensive covered veranda with enough space for dining and lounging, gives the best of both outdoor and indoor living. Every air conditioned room is provided with its own private bathroom.

Villa Viento is situated east of Prospect Plantation in Ocho Rios, and is a beautiful Cliffside seven-bedroom seven-bath villa cuddled in a huge two-acre lush tropical garden that overlooks the sea. The Main House of the villa has two bedrooms, the Island Suites of the villa has three bedrooms, and the Chalet Suite has two bedrooms. Each suite features twin or king size beds, seating area, TV, air conditioning, large full bath with shower, phone, and small refrigerators. The villa can be rented as a two bedroom to a seven bedroom villa. Every one of the guests will dine at the Main House and at no time will the villa be rented to additional groups, so renting two or more bedrooms gives the guest the entire villa estate to themselves.

Many other Jamaica villas facets exquisite amenities as well as great locations, so the next time you stop on the island of Jamaica, don’t miss staying in one of these lavish villas and take home a memory of comfort and deluxe accommodations.

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