Surprising Butterfly Pea Tea Benefits and Its Rich Blue Tea Color  

Have you ever tried truly blue tea? As blue as the sky or violet petals? If not, we invite you to discover butterfly pea tea benefits. This tea is a marvel of color, with shades that change depending on added ingredients. It looks stunning when brewed in a cup and offers health benefits. If you’re intrigued by blue tea, learn more about it in this article. 

What is Butterfly Pea?  

The plant name butterfly pea is rarely encountered. You should be fascinated to learn about the plant that can color tea a rich blue.  

Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) is a perennial climbing plant from the legume family. Its flowers are vibrant blue, sometimes white or violet. It is natively growing in Southeast Asia but is now grown worldwide for its ornamental and medicinal properties. Asians use it in the food and beverage industry.  

Butterfly peas bloom all year round in tropical and subtropical climates, thriving in fertile, well-drained soil with ample sunlight and warmth.  

In its native region, the butterfly pea flowers, roots, and pods have been used for centuries as a natural food coloring. No wonder that tea made from this plant is visually striking. Interestingly, the color of butterfly pea tea can change depending on pH levels.  

Butterfly Pea Tea: Traditions and History  

Butterfly pea tea has deep historical and cultural roots in Southeast Asia. This tea is traditionally refreshing on hot days in Thailand and Vietnam. In Thailand, people often serve it with lemon and honey to enhance its flavor and color. Additionally, butterfly pea flowers are used in religious rituals and as decorative elements in traditional celebrations.  

In traditional Chinese medicine, this tea is even used to treat depression. Furthermore, it supports concentration, improves memory, and combats insomnia.  

Blue Tea: What Makes It So Fascinating?  

Although this tea is known for its health benefits and uses in certain branches of Eastern medicine to treat various ailments, it has gained popularity worldwide primarily due to its unique appearance.  

The aesthetic qualities of butterfly pea tea allow one to enjoy the drink through taste, aroma, and visual impact. The vivid blue color and its shifting hues create a somewhat magical effect, capable of surprising and captivating. This visual effect is often associated with tranquility and relaxation, as blue is psychologically linked to calmness and harmony.  

One of the most intriguing aspects of butterfly pea tea is its ability to change color based on pH levels. Initially, the tea is vibrant blue due to anthocyanins—natural pigments from berries and other fruits. People use this striking and attractive blue color in various beverages and desserts as a natural food dye.  

The color transformation begins when acidic ingredients like lemon juice are added to the tea. Lemon increases the acidity, causing the blue hue to shift to violet or even pink. This color change adds a visual element to the drink and provides opportunities for experimenting with flavor and presentation. For instance, adding soda can return the tea to its blue color or even shift it to a greenish shade, depending on the pH adjustment.  

This color-shifting effect can also create stunning cocktails or other drinks. The color changes as you consume it. This quality makes butterfly pea tea especially popular in the bar and restaurant industry, where innovative drinks with color transformations are an attractive feature for customers.  

The Taste and Aroma of Butterfly Pea Tea  

Beyond its color play and aesthetic presentation, butterfly pea tea also impresses with its taste. It has a subtle, mild flavor often described as herbaceous, earthy, or slightly reminiscent of peas. Its taste is not intense or bitter like other teas, making butterfly pea tea an ideal base for enhancing other flavors.  

You can enrich the drink with honey, lemon, ginger, mint, or fruit juices, adding extra nuances and depth. Due to its gentle profile, butterfly pea tea pairs well with sweet and acidic ingredients, allowing the drinker to create a personalized flavor palette.  

The aroma is another intriguing aspect of this tea. Butterfly pea tea has a light, almost neutral scent with faint herbal notes. Blue tea is not as aromatic as jasmine or herbal teas, but this advantage allows it to blend harmoniously with other fragrances. Some describe this aroma as refreshing and slightly reminiscent of freshly cut grass. You may enhance and deepen the scent with lemon, mint, or various herbs. 

Butterfly Pea Tea Benefits

Apart from its aesthetic appeal, butterfly pea tea also boasts numerous health benefits:  

• One of its primary benefits is its high antioxidant content, which helps protect cells from free radical damage. This can reduce inflammation, improve skin health, and slow aging. Additionally, butterfly pea tea is rich in flavonoids that contribute to overall health and strengthen the immune system.  
• Anti-inflammatory properties. Butterfly tea has anti-inflammatory properties, it may help reduce inflammation in the body, which is beneficial for conditions like arthritis or other inflammatory diseases. Its anti-inflammatory effects can help alleviate joint pain and improve overall health.  
• Enhances cognitive function. Another main benefit of butterfly pea tea is its positive impact on brain function. Studies suggest tea may help improve memory and cognitive function, making it a natural remedy for stimulating brain activity. Compounds like anthocyanins improve brain circulation, memory, and attention.  
• Antibacterial and antiviral properties. Butterfly pea tea also possesses antibacterial and antiviral properties, which can aid the body in fighting infections. This strengthens the immune system and prevents various illnesses. Its antibacterial effects can also help reduce bacterial growth in the mouth, contributing to better oral health.  
• Mood and stress relief. Butterfly pea tea has a calming effect that can help reduce stress and anxiety. It can promote relaxation after a busy day, improve sleep quality, and provide an overall sense of well-being. Some studies suggest that drinking this tea may help regulate mood and reduce symptoms of depression.  

How to Prepare Butterfly Pea Tea  

While you prepare butterfly pea flower tea in the usual way, you can experiment with colors and add different ingredients for additional flavor, aroma, and visual effects.  

Ingredients:  

• 1-2 tsp of dried or 5-10 fresh butterfly pea flowers  
• 250 ml of water.  

Preparation:  

1. Prepare the vessels. Place butterfly pea flowers in a teapot or cup (ideally a transparent glass). Add more flowers for a more intense color and flavor.  
2. Add hot water. Pour hot water over the flowers. To preserve the best qualities, avoid using freshly boiled water—the water temperature should be about 90–95°C.  
3. Let steep. Allow the tea to steep for 5–10 minutes until the water reaches a deep blue hue. The longer it steeps, the stronger and more intense the tea.  
4. Strain the flowers. Strain out the tea flowers for a clear, clean drink.  
5. Sweeten it. Add honey or your preferred sweetener if desired. Stir until dissolved.  
6. Change the color. Add a few drops of lemon juice to achieve a different color. The tea color will shift from blue to violet or pink, depending on the amount of lemon juice added. Mixing with hibiscus flowers will produce a dark red tea.  
7. Serve. You can serve blue tea hot or cold. For a cold tea, let it cool and add ice cubes.  

Additional Tips:  

• For an even more unusual taste, try adding ginger, mint leaves, or fruits like apples or oranges for extra flavor nuances.  
• Butterfly pea tea is perfect for cocktails. Use it as a base for various alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.  

Enjoy your unique, vibrant blue drink that refreshes and surprises you with its color play!  

Is Blue Tea Safe for Everyone?  

While butterfly pea tea has many beneficial properties, it is essential to consume it in moderation. Some people may be allergic to the compounds in the blue tea. Experts recommend being cautious when trying it for the first time. Also, it is essential to remember that excessive use of medicinal plants can have undesirable effects.  

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as those on any medication, should consult a doctor before consuming butterfly pea tea. 

Sources: 

1. https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/blue-tea-unbelievable-health-benefits
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/butterfly-pea-flower-benefits
3. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/blue-tea
4. https://www.medicinenet.com/8_health_benefits_of_blue_clitoria_ternate/article.htm
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6546959/

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