Public Story
South Carolina farmer believed to be first in Palmetto State to harvest hibiscus
Kevin Mishoe, whose family has experimented with growing traditionally West African plants, is believed to be the first hibiscus farmer in the state. “I come from a long line of farmers. We’re doing this in memory of our grandparents.”
The plant, which is also known as rosella or sorrel, is used to make a popular Jamaican sweet and tangy tea. Beyond that, it’s known to have a range of medicinal and ecological benefits. “We especially fell in love once we found out it has so many purposes — the leaves, the stems, the flower itself,” says Mishoe. “Everything can be consumed, and it has so many different vitamins, so we started growing it and drinking the juice from it.”
Mishoe is already working on opening a processing facility for the buds. “We want to create a job right here and produce the product right. It’s already doing what we would hope for the community: create jobs, take old buildings, refurbish them. This product has already started that cycle.”
With support from The Pulitzer Center
https://www.postandcourier.com/food/sc-farmer-believed-to-be-first-in-palmetto-state-to-harvest-hibiscus/article_20794f96-53ad-11ec-8bf0-83d48d32aa92.html
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