The butterfly pea flower is popular for its colorful deep blue petals. Like its petals, butterfly pea flower tea has a vibrant blue hue and has the ability to change color from blue to purple or pink, with alterations in pH.
Butterfly pea flower makes an herbal tea with a poignant, woody and earthy scent. It can be brewed both hot and cold. When droplets of lemon juice are squeezed into the blue tea, the blue beverage drastically changes to purple.
Scientifically known as Clitoria ternatea(clitoria pink), butterfly pea flower is a plant native to Asia. It owes its unique color to a concentration of antioxidant compounds known as anthocyanins. Due to its rich color, the butterfly pea flower is commonly used as a natural dye in textiles, for creative colors in foods and drinks, and in the manufacture of cosmetics.
Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Tea
Butterfly pea flower tea / blue tea has been known to posess several health benefits. Some of these include;
- Promotes skin and hair health: Butterfly pea flowers contains a variety of antioxidants like ternatins, kaemphferol, and Delphinidin-3, 5-glucosideetc which are beneficial for promoting hair and skin health.
- Enhances brain activity: As is the common health benefit of herbal teas, butterfly pea flower tea boosts brain activity by enhancing cognitive functions. The tea gives a soothing effect which is effective for relieving stress and anxiety.
- Promotes weight loss: Studies suggest that butterfly pea flower may aid in weight loss by slowing formation of fat cells.
Besides herbal teas, butterfly pea flowers can be used it to make lattes, lemonades and it’s popular among mixologists for its ability to make color-changing cocktails.
Side Effects to Drinking Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
Though butterfly pea flower tea is generally considered safe by nutritionists if drunk in moderation, a few stomach upsets, nausea and diarrhea cases have been reported following its consumption. For those with a bevy of allergies, it is advisable to consult with your doctor first before taking it.
How to Make Blue Tea / Butterfly Pea Tea?
Due to its appealing color for which reason it was dubbed the blue tea, butterfly pea flower tea is best served in glass teapots and in white teacups. It can be brewed both hot cold. The tea has a poignant, woody and earthy scent.
Butterfly Pea Flower Tea (Hot)
- 1 teaspoon of butterfly pea flower tea
- 10 ounces of water
- A squeeze of lemon
- Sweetener (optional)
Instructions
- Boil water in a kettle.
- Add the butterfly pea flower petals to the hot water and soak for 6 to 9 minutes. The longer the steeping time, the stronger the flavor shall be.
- Pour the heavenly-blue tea into a glass teacup. Enjoy it as is or add some lemon juice to witness the magical change from blue to a purple beverage.
- Add any sweetener of your choice.
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