Groseille
Sabdariffa gossypiifolia
Fabric
- Natural fibres yield best dye or mordant results
Pretreatment
- Contains high levels of oxalic acid, which makes it a natural mordant and binds colours to fibres
Dye
- Leaves and stems dye soft yellows/muted browns
- Roots yield deeper earthy tones-rust oranges
- Flowers are steeped to extract light and bright yellows
- Iron shifts yellow/brown into darker olives, gray-greens
Background
- Native to West/ Central African, later introduced to the Caribbean
- Sabdariffa Gossypiifolia is known by many names such as Hibiscus, Flor do Jamaica, Bissap, Rosselle
Qualities
- Potent source of vitamin C and antioxidants
- Often prepared as a beverage, boiled with cinnamon and clove