From Mother’s Kitchen to Market Shelves: How the Rosella Plant Inspired a Thriving Beverage Business

Some of the world’s most successful companies began as simple college projects—think Google, Microsoft, or Yahoo. Even undergraduates like Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, and Matt Mullenweg, the creator of WordPress, turned their student ideas into billion-dollar enterprises.

Rosella plant

In Kenya, Abraham Wahid is writing his own version of that story. Though he may not be a Silicon Valley name, the director of Rosella Functional Beverages and Foods Company is proof that great businesses can sprout from simple inspiration—in his case, from his mother’s kitchen.

🍵 The Spark of Inspiration

In his third year at university, while studying food science and technology, Wahid returned home for the holidays. Like every final-year student, he needed to propose a research project. But instead of choosing a typical lab topic, fate served him something unexpected.

One evening, his mother handed him a purple-colored drink, claiming it was rich in antioxidants and had several medicinal properties. Curious and skeptical, the young scientist decided to investigate.

The drink, made from the rosella plant (Hibiscus sabdariffa), would soon change the course of his life. Intrigued by his mother’s claims, Wahid took the plant to his university lab to analyze its nutritional and medicinal value.

Packed rosella produce

🎓 From Research Project to Real Business

Wahid’s initial research on rosella revealed promising results. Encouraged by his findings, he documented his work extensively, which earned him a university scholarship to pursue his master’s degree.

After completing his postgraduate studies in 2011, Wahid received funding support from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to commercialize his research. That’s how Rosella Functional Beverages and Foods Company was born, with its flagship product—the Rosella Drink.

🌿 A Healthy Drink with a Local Impact

The Rosella Drink is a 100% natural beverage, free from chemicals and artificial additives. The fruits used in production are organically grown by Kenyan small-scale farmers.

Each kilogram of dried rosella fruit sells for KShs. 1,000, and a single acre can yield up to 500 kilograms. Today, Wahid works with over 500 farmers across Kirinyaga, Kitale, and Taita. The partnership not only ensures a sustainable supply chain but also empowers local communities through agriculture.

From its humble beginnings, the company has expanded its product line to include:

• Rosella Herbal Tea

• Rosella Wine

• Rospyne (Rosella Apple Wine)

The Rosella Drink has quickly become the beverage of choice in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, and is also popular among students and staff at JKUAT and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. Corporations frequently order it for events, citing its refreshing taste and health benefits.

Rosella drink

💡 Turning Research into Opportunity

“Research in agriculture and food production has huge commercial potential,” Wahid explains.
“There are so many gaps in the agricultural value chain — and it’s up to us, as academics, to fill them. I knew I was onto something when the university showed interest in my work and offered me a master’s sponsorship. I’m grateful to my mom for that strange purple drink — it started everything.”

Today, Wahid’s company provides employment opportunities and continues to innovate in the field of functional beverages. He is currently pursuing a PhD at JKUAT, exploring new ways to expand and enhance his roselle-based product line.

🌺 Top 5 Health Benefits of Rosella Drink

1. Free from Chemicals—100% natural and safe for all ages.

2. Rich in Antioxidants – Helps fight free radicals and boost immunity.

3. Soothes Colds and Flu—A natural remedy for seasonal ailments.

4. Aids Digestion—Supports gut health and overall metabolism.

5. Naturally Sweet—Sweetened with organic honey, not refined sugar.

🌍 A Legacy Rooted in Innovation and Family

From a mother’s home remedy to a thriving research-based enterprise, Rosella Functional Beverages and Foods Company embodies the power of curiosity, innovation, and love for nature. Wahid’s journey proves that with passion, scientific exploration, and a touch of inspiration, even a simple purple drink can bloom into a business that nourishes both people and communities.