What You Need to Know About the Wildly Popular Butterfly Pea Flower

Like hydrangeas, butterfly pea flower tea can change color depending on the pH level of its leaves. That makes for a unique brewing experience when infusing the bright blue petals in hot water.

Discover the exquisite experience of color-changing teas with butterfly pea flower tea. Here, you'll find more information about the vibrant tea plus some tasty recipes to brew yourself.

Looking for Butterfly Pea Flower Tea you can brew into vibrant hues? Check out our tasty Butterfly Pea Flower Tea for a brilliant brew right here.

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Basics

Butterfly pea flower tea is popular in Southeast Asia and has recently become one of the newest tea trends in the United States. The tea is made from the butterfly pea plant — Clitoria ternatea — and offers an earthy flavor that is similar to green tea. It's also commonly called blue tea, Asian pigeonwings, fairy tea, and blue pea tea. What has skyrocketed this tea to fame is its ability to change color when new ingredients are added.

When the herbal tea is brewed using just the blue flower petals of the butterfly pea plant, the tea concentrate features a deep, rich blue color. However, the addition of an acidic ingredient — such as lemon juice, lime juice, or freshly squeezed lemons — turns the deep blue hue a vibrant purple. If you add hibiscus petals, the mixture will turn a bright red or fuchsia color. The change in color can be attributed to the change in the pH level of the tea.

The color-changing properties of this tea make it a delightful way to enhance or introduce tea drinkers to the art of tea brewing. The tea also allows tea drinkers to enjoy the earthy flavors of matcha green tea in a new medium. The base flavor is perfect for pairing with other tea flavors to change the color and taste profile.

Butterfly pea tea is naturally caffeine-free so you can enjoy a cuppa any time of the day.

How to Use Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Butterfly pea flower tea is mainly used to display the stunning art of tea brewing. Since the plant changes color, they are also used as a natural food coloring. While the plant is occasionally used as an herbal remedy, the medical community hasn’t established any known health benefits of the tea.

The tea does contain antioxidants that may help to decrease inflammation and detoxify the body. Drinking this tea is a great way to hydrate and eliminate free radicals that can cause oxidative stress and health problems.

Drinking butterfly pea flower tea can help to induce relaxation and reduce stress. The simple act of tea drinking allows you to unwind and let the craziness of the day go. Whether you enjoy a hot cup or iced tea drinks, this herbal tisane can help you discover a new realm of bliss.

Butterfly pea flower tea is best used to serve up delicious afternoon tea or to wow guests at your next garden tea party. Pair it with a blue food like blueberry pie for a coordinated effect. Its tasty flavor and vibrant appearance make it a visual treat.

Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Iced Tea Recipe

Butterfly pea flower petals are easy to steep and don’t develop bitter flavors as easily as green tea. The leaves should be brewed using spring or filtered water at boiling temperatures. Researchers found that the petals infuse optimum color after 5 minutes thanks to anthocyanin present in the petals (1). Aim to steep the petals for 5 to 8 minutes for the best color and flavor results.

Ingredients:

• 4 teaspoons Cup & Leaf Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
• 6 cups of water
• 3 freshly squeezed lemons

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a rapid boil in a stovetop saucepan.
2. Remove the pan from heat and add the flower petals to the hot water.
3. Steep the mixture for 5 to 8 minutes.
4. Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Use a   strainer to remove the tea leaves and pour the concentrate into a large glass pitcher.
5. Store in the refrigerator for 3 hours before serving.
6. When ready to serve, pour the blue tea into glasses filled with ice cubes. Add in the lemon juice and enjoy as the tea changes from blue to purple.

Butterfly Pea Flower & Lemongrass Sweet Iced Tea

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons Cup & Leaf Chamomile Lemongrass Tea
• 2 teaspoons Cup & Leaf Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
• 6 cups of water
• 3 freshly squeezed lemons
• 1 cup of sugar

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil in a pan on the stove.
2. Add in the tea leaves and sugar and steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and remove the leaves.
4. Serve the tea in a large glass pitcher and add a squeeze of lemon to watch the bright blue tea change colors. Pair it with Thai food for a traditional experience.

Traditional Nam Dok Anchan

Nam dok anchan is the traditional Thai version of butterfly pea flower tea. In Thailand, this mixture is consumed much like the Chinese drink green tea and Americans drink chamomile. The tea is consumed both hot and cold, though iced tends to be more popular. The blue petals are mixed with honey, mint, cinnamon, fruits, and spices. It can also be brewed into a mood ring cocktail with the addition of clear spirits.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups of water
• 2 teaspoons Cup & Leaf Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
• 2 teaspoons Cup & Leaf Thai Ginger Tea
• 1 small handful of mint leaves
• 1 large passionfruit - chopped
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• Lemon slices — for garnish and color changing

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a rapid boil.
2. Remove from heat and add in the tea leaves, mint leaves, and flower petals
3. Add in honey and cinnamon sticks and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
4. Add the freshly cut passion fruit to a tall glass pitcher. Gently crush the fruit using a wooden spoon.
5. Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove the spices, leaves, and petals from the tea concentrate.
6. Pour the tea into the large glass pitcher and serve in glasses filled with ice cubes. To watch the mixture turn color, squeeze a slice of lemon into each glass.

Try Magical Fairy Tea

Butterfly pea flower tea offers a magical tea brewing experience as the tea concentrate changes color with the addition of lemon or other ingredients. Brew this beautiful tea at your next garden party or enjoy a cup and quiet solitude in your favorite chair.

Sources:

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328650029_The_Appropriate_Way_to_Serve_Butterfly_Pea_Flower_Drink_at_Home