Commonly called “blue tea”, Butterfly Pea Flower has been brewed for centuries in south-east Asia. It has also been used in cooking to color dishes, especially rice dishes. It's an herb, so it doesn't contain caffeine, which makes it kid-friendly.
The “blue tea” changes color based on the pH level of the substance added to it, such as lemon or lime, where it will turn purple or pink. In Thailand and Vietnam, the drink is served both hot and cold. The cold tea is usually mixed with honey, mint leaves, cinnamon, passion fruit, and ginger. In India Butterfly Pea Flower is widely used as a brain tonic to help memory and learning. It can also help relieve stress, because it supports the central nervous system. Butterfly Pea Flower is rich in antioxidants that can combat free radicals that harm the body. The rich antioxidants are also good for skin and hair health. To purchase Butterfly Pea Flowers, check online (your local herb shop may not carry it). I was able to find dried, organic Butterfly Pea Flowers on Amazon.
Butterfly Pea Flower doesn’t have much of a taste, so mix it with other herbs and spices, especially citrus fruits if you want the drink to change color. Try one of these recipes or create your own.
Butterfly Tea for Stress
2 tablespoons or more Butterfly Pea Flower
1 tablespoon lavender
1/3 Cinnamon Stick or Cinnamon Chips
4 cups (32 oz.) of water
Slices of lemon or lime
Honey or liquid sweetener to taste
Directions – in a medium-sized pot, bring water to a boil; add in Butterfly Pea Flower, Lavender and Cinnamon. Let steep 5-10 minutes, then strain. The longer you steep the tea, the deeper the color blue. Serve the tea hot or cold. If you want to have some fun and see the blue tea turn purple, then serve in clear glasses. Sweeten with honey or a liquid sweetener, such as stevia or agave. Serve with slices of lemon or lime.
Blue Butterfly Tea for Brain Health
2 tablespoons Butterfly Pea Flower
1 tablespoon Ginkgo biloba or Brahmi
1-2 slices fresh ginger
4 cups (32 oz.) water
Honey or liquid sweetener for taste
Directions – in a medium-sized pot, bring water to a boil; add in Butterfly Pea Flower, Ginkgo and Ginger. Let steep 5-10 minutes, strain and drink hot or cold. Sweeten it with honey or a liquid sweetener.
High Antioxidant Tea
2 tablespoons Butterfly Pea Flowers
1 tablespoon Hibiscus Flowers
1 teaspoon fresh Mint leaves
4 cups (32 oz.) water
Extra fresh mint leaves for garnish
Honey or liquid sweetener for taste
Directions - in a medium-sized pot, bring water to a boil; add in Butterfly Pea Flower, Hibiscus Flowers and Mint leaves. Let steep 5-10 minutes and strain. Add sweetener for taste. Pour tea into glasses (for iced tea) or cups (for hot tea), and garnish with mint leaves. Note that with Hibiscus Flowers, it makes the tea red, so with the blue color of Butterfly Pea Flowers, you'll have a deep purple drink.
Butterfly Pea Flower’s unique ability to change color has made it popular in bars as a cocktail or mocktail.
Butterfly Mocktail or Cocktail
2 tablespoons or more of Butterfly Pea Flower
4 cups (32 oz.) of water
Honey or another liquid sweetener to taste
2-4 tablespoons of fresh lime juice
Sparkling Water
Ice cubes
Fresh mint leaves
Optional: add clear liquor, such as vodka or gin, to make it a cocktail
Directions: Make tea with the flowers and hot water and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain and let it cool down to room temp. Add the sweetener and stir until completely dissolved. Fill a glass with ice cubes, and pour in the tea until the glass is ½ full. (If making a cocktail, add the alcohol.) Top with sparkling water and garnish with a sprig of mint. Repeat with the other glasses. Add drops of lime juice into each glass and watch the drinks turn color.
This is a fun drink for your summertime parties; but of course, it can be enjoyed anytime of the year.
Images:
<a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/healthy-drink-organic-blue-pea-flower-tea-with-lemon-lime_10069583.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=4&uuid=3c380921-74d0-4824-ac71-660a9fa2261a">Image by jcomp on Freepik</a>
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