This best-kept secret and trendy tea with endless health perks has been declared as this year's hit by Good Housekeeping, Kitchen Theory, and Food & Wine Magazines. From tasty drinks to smoothies, blue rice, and cake pops, Butterfly Pea Flower adds a blue or purple splash to any occasion.
The blue tea itself tastes slightly similar to a watered-down green tea, but add 2 tablespoons honey, a dash of salt, and a splash of lemon or lime, and the blue tea first turns purple then pink — and is very tasty. It can be added to any drink such as lemonade or a favorite cocktail and used as a natural color additive for dishes such as blue rice, cakes, muffins, ice cream, and smoothies. When ground into a powder, it is known as "Blue Matcha."
This tea is great for unwinding in the afternoon or evening because it acts as a relaxing anxiolytic as well.
What is butterfly pea flower tea?
Blue tea has been around for centuries. It's brewed from the bright blue flowers of the Southeastern Asia-native Clitoria ternatea plant, also known as blue butterfly pea plant or Asian pigeonwings. The vibrant petals are a common ingredient and natural food dye in countries like Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam, lending their unique purplish hue to sweet and savory rice dishes.
The experience of drinking blue tea for the first time is nothing short of mesmerizing. Butterfly pea flower tea changes pH levels when you add certain ingredients to it, changing its original blue to bright purple, and pink tones. Acidic add-ins, like a few drops of lemon or lime juice, are ideal for turning the sapphire tea into a vibrant magenta.
Place a few dried flowers into hot water. Drink it hot or pour the infusion over ice. Then squeeze in a few drops of lemon and sweetener for a summery, refreshing drink.
Science-backed health benefits of blue tea
The Clitoria ternatea plant and its flowers are rich in antioxidants and boast an impressive nutritional profile. Recent studies show that butterfly pea flower tea may have various health benefits, including:
- Antimicrobial properties
- Helps control blood sugar levels; a cup taken between meals may inhibit glucose intake from the diet and lower blood sugar
- Potentially promotes weight loss
- Supports hair growth — contains anthocyanin which increases blood flow to the scalp, strengthening hair follicles
- Enhances skin health — has anti-glycation properties that help prevent skin aging, and flavonoids that increase collagen production
- Helps reduce inflammation
- May protect heart health and increase blood flow
- Fights free radicals — a rich source of antioxidants that minimize cellular damage and lower cancer risk
- May help reduce stress and anxiety, uplifting mood
- Is considered a nootropic, protecting the brain and boosting its activity and function
Side effects
So far, there aren't any reported side effects of drinking butterfly pea flower tea. However, people with sensitive stomachs may experience nausea or diarrhea from drinking large quantities. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to brew butterfly pea tea
Whether you want a delicious cup of blue tea or are looking to make your own color-changing cocktails, the first step is to steep the dried flower petals in hot water (1 serving):
- 1 cup of water
- 1½ teaspoons dry butterfly pea flowers
Bring water to a boil and pour into a teapot. Add butterfly pea flowers, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Add honey and lemon to taste (optional). Drink immediately or let cool and pour into ice cube trays. Steep for only 3–4 minutes — any more will leave you with an almost black-tasting tea. If making beverages for a crowd, keep all components in separate pitchers until you are ready to serve.
A final word
Butterfly pea flower tea allows you to make delicious and awe-inspiring colored beverages and dishes without dangerous synthetic food dyes. And while its potential health benefits warrant more investigation, blue pea flowers are chock-full of so many healthful compounds that we think it's definitely worth a sip.
You can buy dry butterfly pea flowers in most tea stores, health food stores, online, and on Amazon.
Recipes
Blue Rice
Ingredients: 1 cup dry Jasmine rice (rinsed), 1½ cups water, ¼ teaspoon salt, 6 butterfly pea flowers, ½ stalk lemongrass — beaten and knotted, or ½ teaspoon lemongrass powder (optional)
Instructions: Put rinsed rice in your rice cooker along with the lemongrass and flowers. Add water, press cook, and let it cook until it switches to warm. Let sit for 10–20 minutes covered on the warm setting. Mix with a spoon (you can mix the flowers in or remove them). Spoon rice into a small bowl, place a plate on top, and flip over for a perfect serving portion. Great with fish.
Butterfly Pea Lemonade
This magical color-changing lemonade gets its natural color from the butterfly pea flower, changing from rich blue to vibrant magenta right before your eyes!
Ingredients: 5 cups filtered water (divided), 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup dried butterfly pea flowers, 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (8–10 lemons)
Instructions: Combine 3 cups water with sugar in a saucepan. Stir in butterfly pea flowers and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Strain and let cool. Combine lemon juice with remaining 2 cups water. Fill glasses with ice, pour cooled butterfly pea syrup halfway, then pour lemon mixture over top and watch the magic happen!
Galaxy Magic Mule
Magic Blue Ice: Steep 8 butterfly pea flowers in 2 cups hot water for 3–4 minutes. Strain, pour into ice cube trays, and freeze. Crush before using.
Cocktail Ingredients: 2 oz vodka, ½ oz freshly squeezed lime juice, 4–6 oz ginger beer, crushed clear ice, crushed Magic Blue Ice
Instructions: Partially fill a mug with crushed clear ice then top with crushed Magic Blue Ice. Add lime juice, vodka, and ginger beer. Top with additional Magic Blue Ice.
Butterfly Pea Latte
Ingredients: 2 cups ice, 2 cups water, ⅓ cup half & half, 2 butterfly pea flower tea bags, 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk (optional), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions: Boil water to 180°F if possible. Steep tea bags in hot water for 5 minutes. Let cool. Combine half & half, condensed milk, and vanilla extract; stir to mix. Pour cooled tea into 2 glasses filled with ice. Slowly pour in vanilla sweet cream — it will swirl and settle to the bottom, leaving a pretty gradient.
