This study examined the physicochemical, color and sensory attributes of wines produced from Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces while substituting granulated sugar with Phoenix dactylifera fruit extracts in the ratio 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%. The sample mixture was subjected to fermentation at 28 ± 2℃ for 8 days to produce the fermented must which was divided into two portions, with one portion clarified to age for a period of 6 weeks while the other remained un-clarified. Result showed that both clarification and inclusion rate of date fruit extract led to significant differences (p < .05) in the physicochemical, color and sensory characteristics of aged wines. However, panelists affirmed that clarified aged wine from 75% Roselle calyces and 25% date palm fruit extracts were the most preferred. Thus, date fruit extracts could serve as a substitute for granulated sugar for the production of good quality Roselle wine in the food industry.

Practical applications

There is strong interest in the food industry to produce good quality wines from tropical fruits and vegetables like Roselle calyces. Recent development has established that addition of date fruit extracts to Roselle calyces as a substitute to granulated sugar would enhance commercial production of low alcoholic wine with good quality characteristics that possesses several highly health promoting factors such as antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-hyperlidimic activity and hepatoprotective activity.