Have you ever heard of butterfly pea powder or butterfly pea tea? If not, you are in the right place to learn all about this amazing powder and tea and all of its health benefits. Butterfly pea powder has been used for centuries in holistic and ayurvedic medicine.
If you’re not familiar with this colorful flower and its vibrant blue flowers, you’ll enjoy learning all about the interesting color-changing reaction that this tea is famous for along with the many health benefits drinkers enjoy when they sip on this delicious and unique tea.
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What is Butterfly Pea Flower Tea?
Pea Flower Tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea made from the dried flowers of the Clitoria ternatea flowers, a flowering vine that grows primarily in Southeast Asia and it has been used for centuries as a tea, medicine, and natural dye.
It has a mild, herbaceous flavor and its signature rich blue color is not altered when steeped. Butterfly pea flower tea boasts antioxidizing properties that are known to promote improved mental clarity, skin health, and stress relief.
When steeped in hot water, butterfly pea flower changes from intense blue to purple, giving it a unique and fun experience that has made the tea popular with children and adults alike. It can also be blended with other herbs such as lemongrass or ginger for extra flavor.
Butterfly pea flower tea is also known as Asian- pigeon wing tea in Asian countries. The beautiful color of this tea is what has it growing in popularity in the United States.
Chefs and bartenders alike are using butterfly pea powder and butterfly pea tea to bring color to rice, smoothies, desserts, and cocktails to make them more visually appealing.
Color Changing Properties
Butterfly pea powder possesses some very interesting color-changing properties which in recent years has made its use much more popular. Butterfly pea tea and butterfly pea powder are originally a shade of blue, the deepness and hue of the color will vary somewhat from batch to batch depending on the nutrients and pH levels of the soil that the plant was grown in, but they all have a brilliant blue color.
The vibrant blue pigment in butterfly pea powder comes from anthocyanin a flavonoid found in many foods like blueberries, and red cabbage. Foods containing anthocyanin are known to have a wide range of health benefits. In butterfly pea tea, the anthocyanin acts as a base indicator, meaning that the color of the tea will change depending on the pH level of what is added to it.
Different Shades of Tea
To change the colors of your butterfly pea tea, you’ll need to add an acidic ingredient to it such as lemon juice or lime juice. Adding these ingredients will cause the tea to change color and can make a range of different shades from blue, purple, pink, or even yellow depending on the amount added.
This makes butterfly pea flower tea a great natural food coloring for smoothies and desserts as well as a fun way to enjoy a cup of tea.
- Purple tea- To get the purple color add a splash of lemon juice and watch as the acidic juice turns the tea from blue to purple.
- Blue tea- The bright blue color of butterfly pea tea can be enjoyed without adding any other ingredients.
- Pink tea- To enjoy a cup of pink tea, simply add some hibiscus petals to the brew when steeping for a brilliant pink color.
Even though butterfly pea tea is vividly colored it will not stain your teeth. So next time you’re looking for a unique and delicious way to enjoy the health benefits of butterfly pea flower tea, take advantage of its color-changing properties and make your cup of tea an experience!
Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Tea
While all of that is exciting, the health benefits are even more impressive. Butterfly pea flower tea is an excellent source of Vitamin A, B complex vitamins, calcium, iron, and zinc. It is also rich in minerals and antioxidants that help to promote overall health and wellness while giving you an immune system boost.
Butterfly pea flower tea has been used for centuries to improve mental clarity and focus as well as reduce anxiety levels. Consuming this tea can also help to improve skin health and reduce inflammation. Additionally, butterfly pea flower tea is known to have anti-aging effects and can even help to promote healthy hair growth.
It is important to note that pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding, should consult a doctor before drinking this tea as it may contain compounds that could be harmful to your baby. You’ll also want to check with your doctor if you have any preexisting health conditions.
Butterfly pea tea is anti-inflammatory and reduces swelling which makes it ideal for those with headaches, healing wounds, or pain. Butterfly pea tea helps to regulate blood sugar levels which makes it an ideal drink for diabetics.
Butterfly pea tea also promotes healthy eye, brain, skin, and hair health. Drinking butterfly pea tea can make your skin look younger, prevent memory loss related to aging, keep your eyesight clear, and prevent hair loss.
Recent studies have shown that drinking butterfly pea tea can help to promote weight loss. Butterfly pea tea also helps to promote a healthy heart and reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.
Taste of Butterfly Pea Tea
Butterfly pea tea has a similar taste to light green tea or chamomile tea. The tea has an earthy, sometimes grassy taste and it blends well with other ingredients like lemongrass and hibiscus petals.
For those who are looking for a more flavorful tea, adding a bit of honey or lime juice can really enhance the flavor.
How to Brew Butterfly Pea Tea
Butterfly pea tea is very simple to brew. You simply take your butterfly pea tea and place it in your teapot with warm water. Allow the tea to steep for at least five minutes, and then strain the tea into your favorite teacup. Enjoy! Butterfly pea tea can be served hot, iced, or as a latte. Recipes calling for the use of butterfly pea tea and butterfly pea powder are becoming increasingly popular making it a very versatile ingredient.
How to Use Butterfly Pea Powder
Butterfly pea powder can be added to drinks, smoothies, or yogurt. You can sprinkle it on top of your oatmeal and mix it into baked goodies like cookies. Add it to your lemon water for a colorful, and healthy drink.
Hard boil eggs in regular water and then allow them to soak in water mixed with butterfly pea powder for a gorgeous purple egg. Chefs and mixologists are finding new ways to use butterfly pea powder every day!
Butterfly pea powder can also be used for more than just food and drinks. Butterfly pea powder is great for your skin and your hair as well and there are many beauty products on the market that contain it.
Where to Find Butterfly Pea Powder and Butterfly Pea Tea
Butterfly pea powder and butterfly pea tea can be found in some health food stores, or grocery chain stores like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. If you can’t find it in a store near you, you can find lots of options online.
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Butterfly pea flower tea is an exciting and delicious way to enjoy the many health benefits it has to offer without the worry of caffeine. Its unique color-changing properties make this tea especially fun for children and adults alike.
Whether you’re looking for a natural food coloring or an immune system boost, butterfly pea flower tea is the perfect choice. Enjoy!
