Updated on November 11th, 2022
You’re not alone if you have ever wondered what butterfly pea tea tastes like. It has recently made waves on the international coffee scene. Butterfly pea tea has a delicate flavor, and it can be used in a variety of ways. This unusual tea is a natural food dye that can turn any drink a vibrant blue. The plant’s flower petals are steeped for a specified time to produce this delightful drink. However, it is not a sweet tea in the mainstream sense.
Typically, you can use a teaspoon per cup. The plant’s intense color results from its high concentration of anthocyanins. You may also add lemon or other flavors to make your drink more enjoyable. But whether you choose to drink butterfly pea tea as is, you’ll be happy with the result.
What Is Butterfly Pea Tea?
The deep blue flower petals of the butterfly pea plant, known botanically as Clitoria ternatea, are used to make butterfly pea flower tea. Asian pigeonwings, blue tea, and blue pea are all names for this herbal tisane. The tea has been brewed for centuries in Southeast Asia, but it is only now making its way to European and American shores. The tea is caffeine-free and vegan-friendly by nature.
The flavor profile of this tea, as well as the color-changing vibrant hue, make it unique. The plant produces a stunning, rich blue color when the petals are infused in hot water. When other ingredients, such as lemon juice, are added, the blue tea liquid turns a bright red or fuchsia color. It’s almost as if you’re drinking tea with a mood ring.
What Does Butterfly Pea Tea Taste Like?
While butterflies pea tea isn’t particularly aromatic, its floral fragrance is pleasant. The bright color is due to the flowers’ high PH level. The tea’s flower is not exceptionally flavorful, but it can be used for various purposes. Its flavor is earthy and woody, but the flower is often used for color.
Butterfly pea tea is a caffeinated herbal tea ideal for younger and older people. It can be made into a hot or iced drink, and it’s not very strong and can be used as a sweetener. The tea can be added to lemonade or smoothies to make them sweeter. An excellent way to enjoy the tea is to steep it in lemon juice.
The butterfly pea flower has a deep blue color. Its flavor is not very different from that of other types of tea, but it does add a unique color to them. In addition to enhancing the appearance of food, butterflies’ pea flower has also been used in traditional medicines. Its high content of calcium in the flowers helps it to treat stress. Its calming effect is well documented, but its unique taste can make it a great drink.
Is Butterfly Pea Tea Healthy For Us?
The butterfly pea plant also contains some natural antioxidants. The resulting beverage improves blood circulation, nourishes the skin, and improves eye health. It is believed that tea is beneficial to your eyes and blood circulation and is used to dye food and drinks in Southeast Asia. The flower’s popularity has led to many tea variations, and you can even use it as a decorative accent.
Enhance your vision
Clitoria Ternatea contains an antioxidant called proanthocyanidin, which helps treat glaucoma, blurred vision, retinal damage, and tired eyes by increasing blood flow to the capillaries of the eyes.
Enhance hair growth
Butterfly Pea, which is high in bioflavonoids, can help to promote hair growth and prevent greying.
Improve the appearance of your skin
The antioxidants in Butterfly Pea encourage the production of collagen and elastin, which helps to rejuvenate the skin and reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Aphrodisiac
Butterfly Pea has long been used as an aphrodisiac, especially for women, and to treat menstrual problems and white vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea).
Flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic compounds found in Butterfly Pea flowers activate antioxidant activity, which aids in the reduction of oxidative stress caused by disease-causing and aging free radicals.
Butterfly Pea, a nootropic, has improved cognitive function and brain function.
Butterfly Pea, a diuretic, encourages normal urination, lowering blood pressure.
Clitoria Ternatea, an analgesic, has been used as a local anesthetic because it has been shown to help relieve pain and swelling.
Butterfly Pea Anxiolyhic has a calming effect on the body, reducing stress and anxiety.
Anti-inflammatory
Flavonoids can be found in the deep indigo flowers. Flavonoids, found in almost all fruits and vegetables, are potent antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
Anti-Asthmatic
It is used to treat common colds, coughs, and asthma because it acts as an expectorant and soothes the respiratory organs.
Anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications
High doses of Butterfly Pea appear to be adaptogenic, meaning they help the body cope with stress.
Anti-diabetic
Butterfly Pea has been shown to reduce dietary glucose intake.
The anti-HIV Butterfly Pea is one of the few herbs that contain cyclotides, which have been shown in studies to have anti-HIV effects.
Anti-cancer and anti-tumor medications
Clitoria Ternatea’s cyclotides disrupt cell membrane integrity, leading to cancer cell death.
Antimicrobial
Butterfly Pea has been shown to have antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus in several Indian studies.
Anti-convulsant Butterfly Pea has been shown to help treat epilepsy by reducing the severity and stress on the body caused by convulsions.
Anti-pyretic
Clitoria Ternatea reduces fever by dilating the blood vessels beneath the skin, allowing more air to cool the blood.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Butterfly Pea Tea?
There are only a few side effects associated with drinking butterfly pea flower tea. The most common side effects are stomach upset, nausea, and allergic reactions. Butterfly pea flower tea, like most herbal teas, may interact with certain medications. If you have a medical condition or are taking any medications, consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before consuming the tea.
Blue tea can be a good substitute for caffeinated beverages like tea or coffee, and you can drink it that way to cut down on your caffeine intake. The tea is now available in various supermarkets, grocery stores, and online retailers.
Blue tea is said to be highly safe and healthy to consume, so there aren’t any known side effects. Overdosing on the tea, however, can result in nausea and diarrhea. Pregnant or lactating women should avoid drinking the beverage unless they consult their doctor first. However, before consuming blue tea, it is always advisable to seek medical advice.
What Is The Difference Between Butterfly Pea Tea And Purple Tea?
- Loose butterfly pea flowers appear as real dried flowers to the untrained eye. The younger the blossoms, the greener the stems, and the blooms are a few seasons old if the stems are entirely brownish-yellow.
Whole leaf purple tea usually resembles twisted wire, but it can also be prepared using the CTC (Crush-Tear-Curl) method for a more potent brew. The rule of thumb for loose leaf teas remains the same for all ‘true’ Camellia sinensis teas: the more intact the leaf, the higher the quality of the resulting tea. - The most common BPT and purple tea form is loose-leaf, with whole blossoms or leaves. The most common butterfly pea flower is blue, but it also comes in white, purple, and red varieties.
- Both purple and butterfly pea flower teas are pH-sensitive, and they have recently gained popularity. This means that the tea plant will react when an acid or a base/alkali is added to the tea plant after brewing it in water. When you add acid to both teas, they turn a different color, which sounds more intense than it is.
- People usually use lemon or lime, but acidic plants such as hibiscus and lemongrass can also be used, especially if you add milk but don’t want it to curdle. Your chemistry lessons from high school have arrived in your teapot! Because BPT has a brighter color than purple tea, the pre-and post-acid additions are more visible.
What Are The Culinary Uses Of Butterfly Pea Tea?
While the tea doesn’t taste like the butterfly pea flower itself, it has an earthy, woody taste that works well in various tea recipes. It can also be added to fruit smoothies and desserts. In addition to being a tasty drink, butterflies’ pea flower can be used to decorate foods and beverages. Some people believe it can help them lose weight. But before you try it, be sure to check out the reviews online.
Conclusion
The butterflies in butterfly pea flowers are edible and have a mild flavor. The flowers are also edible and can be used in many different recipes. They add color to a smoothie or lemonade and are used to make a beverage. When brewed, they will produce a blue-purple drink that will appeal to many people. As a result, this tea is delicious in many ways. If you like the taste of this unique flower, you can add a little lemon juice to make it a more exciting tea.
While it is not the most flavorful tea, butterfly pea flower tea is popular in many parts of Southeast Asia. It is commonly used in sticky rice desserts and puddings, giving them a deep purple color. Some people enjoy drinking it as a soothing beverage after a meal. Despite its unique taste, it is not very sweet. It is similar to chamomile and is often used in cooking.
