Butterfly Pea Tea: The Elixir of Health
Butterfly pea tea, also known as blue pea tea, or Asian pigeonwing tea, is a caffeine-free herbal tea that has gained popularity in recent years due to its striking blue colour and potential health benefits.
Table of contents
What is butterfly pea flower tea?
Butterfly pea tea is made from the dried flowers of the butterfly pea plant (Clitoria ternatea), a plant native to Southeast Asia. To make the tea, the flowers are usually steeped in hot water, which results in the vibrant blue-coloured tea.
When lemon juice or other acidic ingredients are added to the tea, its colour turns from blue to purple or pink.
How does butterfly pea flower tea taste like?
Traditionally butterfly pea flowers were used in Asia mainly for food colouring, and not for their flavour. And this is for good reason:
Butterfly pea flower tea has a very weak taste, usually described as kind of grassy, or vegetal.
Despite the beautiful colour and multiple health benefits it may provide, butterfly pea flower tea is usually not consumed on its own. It is often added in a tea blend, latte, or lemonade, where the other ingredients bring the taste, while the butterfly pea flower gives off its beautiful colour.
Can butterfly pea tea change colour?
One of the unique properties of butterfly pea tea, is that it changes colour depending on the pH (1). Adding something acidic to the liquid, like lemon juice or hibiscus flowers, can turn the tea from bright blue to purple, pink or even red.
Here is a table that summarises how the colour of butterfly pea tea changes, depending on the acidity:
|
pH Level |
Tea Color |
|
pH 1-2 |
Pink/Red |
|
pH 3-4 |
Purple/ Pink |
|
pH 5-6 |
Blue/Purple |
|
pH 7 |
Blue |
|
pH 8-9 |
Green/Blue |
|
pH 10+ |
Brown/Green |
These colour changes happen, because of some naturally occurring compounds in butterfly pea tea, called anthocyanins. These compounds are sensitive to changes in pH, and could potentially be used as pH indicators.
Keep in mind, the colour you see also depends on the concentration of anthocyanins in the water - using more flowers to make a stronger tea, results in a beverage with more intense colours.
History
Butterfly pea tea has a long history of use in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Clitoria ternatea, the plant from which butterfly pea tea is made, has been used for centuries in many ways including, for its laxative, diuretic, anti-anxiety, antidepressant, memory enhancing, and cooling effects.
In addition to its medicinal uses, the vibrant blue colour of the tea has also made it a popular natural dye for food and textiles. In recent years, the popularity of butterfly pea tea has spread beyond Asia. Tea enthusiasts all around the world are embracing its unique colour, flavour, and potential health benefits.
Uses
Butterfly pea tea is typically consumed as a hot or cold beverage, much like traditional tea. The tea is brewed by steeping dried butterfly pea flowers in hot water, resulting in a vibrant blue-coloured tea.
You can add lemon juice or other acidic ingredients to change the colour from blue to purple or pink. As a rule, the more acid you add to the butterfly pea tea, the more its colour will go towards pink.
Other uses of butterfly tea include:
Blue ice cubes
Iced tea
Cocktails
Lemonade
Latte
Bubble tea
Tea blends
DIY natural dye
Dishes
Desserts
Skin care
Butterfly pea tea is often used in cocktails and other drinks, to add a pop of colour and unique flavour.
Benefits of Butterfly pea tea
Butterfly pea tea has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, depression, and memory loss. It's also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help protect the body against disease.
Butterfly pea tea is rich in flavonoids, which are plant-based compounds that have been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Some studies have also suggested that butterfly pea tea may have a positive effect on brain function.
How to drink butterfly pea tea?
Butterfly pea tea can be consumed hot or cold. Here are several ways you can enjoy it:
1. Hot tea: Brew butterfly pea tea using the hot brew method outlined in the table above. You can enjoy it plain or with some honey and lemon.
2. Iced tea: Brew butterfly pea tea using the hot brew method, but use some extra flowers to make it stronger. Let it cool to room temperature and then pour over ice. You can add a slice of lemon or some other fruit before serving.
3. Butterfly pea latte: Mix some strong brewed butterfly pea tea with frothed hot milk, vanilla extract, and a sweetener of your choice, such as honey or sugar.
4. Butterfly pea lemonade: Mix brewed butterfly pea tea with lemon juice, water, and sugar syrup to make a refreshing and colourful lemonade. You can add some mint or lavender to make the lemonade even more fun.
5. Butterfly pea cocktail: You can use butterfly pea tea as a base for a colourful cocktail by mixing it with your favourite spirits, juices, and garnishes.
Overall, butterfly pea tea is very versatile. It is a fun and unique ingredient to experiment with.
Caffeine content
Butterfly pea tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea. Since it does not contain any caffeine, it is a great alternative to traditional tea for those who are looking to reduce their caffeine intake.
Butterfly pea tea contains antioxidants and other compounds that are believed to have potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving cognitive function.
Buying and storing
When it comes to buying butterfly pea flower tea, try to get high-quality, organic butterfly pea flowers that have not been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.
You can find butterfly pea flower tea at specialty tea shops, health food stores, and online retailers. Butterfly pea tea can usually be found in the form of whole dried flowers or incorporated in tea blends.
In terms of storing butterfly pea flower tea, it's best to keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Personally, my favourite way to store any tea really, is to use Japanese tea tins with a double lid. Not only do they help keep your tea in good condition, but they can also be used as decoration as well.
Types of butterfly pea tea
There are two main types of butterfly pea flowers tea: Blue butterfly pea tea and white butterfly pea flower tea.
White butterfly pea tea?
White butterfly pea tea is basically the same as regular butterfly pea tea, just with a different colour. Unlike the traditional butterfly pea tea, which is made from blue flowers, white butterfly pea tea is made from the white flowers of the same plant.
Like traditional butterfly pea tea, white butterfly pea tea is caffeine-free and contains antioxidants and other compounds that are believed to have potential health benefits. White butterfly pea tea is less common and more difficult to find, than traditional butterfly pea tea.
White butterfly pea vs blue butterfly pea: What's the difference?
Here is a summary of the differences and similarities between blue butterfly pea tea and white butterfly pea tea:
|
|
Blue Butterfly Pea Tea |
White Butterfly Pea Tea |
|
Flower color |
Blue |
White |
|
Taste |
Bland, slightly grassy |
Bland, slightly grassy |
|
Caffeine content |
Caffeine-free |
Caffeine-free |
|
Health benefits |
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties |
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties |
|
Preparation process |
Steep blue flowers in hot water |
Steep white flowers in hot water |
|
Color-changing ability |
Changes color from blue to purple or pink with addition of lemon juice or other acidic ingredients |
Does not change color with addition of lemon juice or other acidic ingredients |
|
Availability and popularity |
Widely available and popular |
Less common and gaining popularity among tea enthusiasts |
How to Brew Butterfly Pea Tea
Brewing butterfly pea tea is a straightforward process. To make a cup of butterfly pea tea, follow these simple steps:
|
Steps |
Instructions |
|
Step 1 |
Bring water to a boil in a pot or kettle. You need around 1 cup of water. |
|
Step 2 |
Add 1-2 tsp butterfly pea flowers to a tea infuser or directly to the pot. |
|
Step 3 |
Pour the hot water over the flowers, make sure to cover them completely. |
|
Step 4 |
Steep for 5-10 minutes, depending on the desired strength. |
|
Step 5 |
Remove the tea infuser or strain the tea into a cup. |
|
Step 6 |
Add some lemon or honey if you like. |
|
Step 7 |
Serve hot and enjoy! |
If desired, add lemon juice or other acidic ingredients to change the colour of the tea. The more acid you add, the more your blue pea tea will turn pink.