You might know butterfly pea tea for its beautiful and vibrant color. But there is much more to this tea than its visually appealing color. Here is everything you need to know about this unique and amazing tea!

What Is Butterfly Pea Flower Tea?

Butterfly pea tea is an herbal tea made from the dried flowers of the butterfly pea plant, also known as the Clitoria ternatea plant. The plant is native to Thailand, Vietnam, and other parts of Southeast Asia. The plant has been used for centuries in traditional Asian medicine.

The blue flowers are rich in anthocyanins, which give the tea its beautiful bright blue color. It is often used to make colorful, mocktails, and other drinks.

When the tea is mixed with other ingredients, like citrus juice or tonic water, it changes colors. For example, adding lemon juice will turn the drink pink or purple, while adding lime juice will turn it green.

Also see Pineapple Peel Tea, Hawthorne Tea, and Cerasee Tea!

Blue and purple butterfly pea tea with lemon

What Does Butterfly Pea Tea Taste and Smell Like?

So, what does butterfly pea tea taste like? The answer depends on how the tea is brewed and what other ingredients are added.

When brewed on its own, the tea has a mild floral flavor with hints of earthiness. Some people also detect a slight sweetness in the tea.

If you’re looking for a bolder flavor, you can add other ingredients to the tea. No matter how you choose to enjoy it, this is a refreshing and unique beverage that’s worth trying!

The smell of the tea depends on how it is brewed. If you brew it with just the flowers, it will have a light and delicate scent.

However, if you add other ingredients, the scent will be more pronounced. Overall, though, butterfly pea tea has a pleasant and refreshing smell.

butterfly pea flowers and tea in glass cup and glass teapot.

How To Make Butterfly Pea Tea?

Butterfly pea tea is easy to make at home. Here is a simple guide to making this tea:

  • Start with 1-2 teaspoons of dried butterfly pea flowers. You can find dried butterfly pea flowers online or at some health food stores.
  • Steep the butterfly peas in hot water for 3-5 minutes. For a more potent tea, you can steep the flowers longer or add more flower petals to the pot.
  • Add sweetener to taste, if desired. Honey or sugar works well in this tea.
  • Pour the tea into a cup and enjoy!

Other Tea Recipes

bowl of butterfly pea blue matcha powder with whisk and dried flowers

What Flavors Go Well With Butterfly Pea Tea?

Here are a few ingredients that pair beautifully with butterfly pea flower tea:

1.    Lemon juice

If you’re looking for a unique and healthy way drink to enjoy, try this tea with lemon. This delightful combination is not only pretty to look at but also provides numerous health benefits.

The floral flavor of the tea with the citrusy lemon is a perfect match. You can enjoy it as a hot tea or make cold and refreshing lemonade as well. Just add soda water for a fizzy kick!

2.    Chamomile flower

Adding chamomile flowers to butterfly pea tea not not only gives the tea a more floral flavor, but also changes the color of the drink from blue to purple.

Chamomile has long been used as a natural remedy for anxiety and insomnia, while butterfly pea is rich in antioxidants which can help protect against cell damage and boost immunity. This combination offers a delicious and healthy way to relax before bed.

3.    Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a popular ingredient in Thai cuisine, and it is also used to make teas and infusions. It gives the tea a citrusy flavor and aroma.

Butterfly pea tea with lemongrass is refreshing, flavorful, and beautiful to look at. It is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy this amazing herbal tea.

4.    Spices

Cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon is the best combination of spices that will give your tea a warm and inviting flavor.

If you like your tea on the sweeter side, add a touch of honey or agave nectar. Adding spices makes the tea aromatic and comforting.

5.    Mint

Butterfly pea tea with mint is a refreshing and fragrant beverage that is perfect for summer. You can brew it as tea or enjoy a chilled refreshing drink. Whatever you like will work!

6.    Non-Dairy Milk

Oat milk, coconut milk, or even a flavored non-dairy creamer are perfect additions to your tea. You can get quite creative and make delicious creamy beverages that are also good for you and fun to look at.

7.     Mocktails

For a fun non-alcoholic drink, mix butterfly pea tea with lemonade or another sparkling beverage. Garnish with fresh herbs or fruit for a beautiful and refreshing drink. This is the perfect idea for entertaining!

Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Tea:

Butterfly pea tea has a long history of use in traditional medicine and has been shown to have several health benefits. Let’s discuss these benefits:

1.   Reduce your risk of some chronic diseases

One of the health benefits of the butterfly pea is that it can help reduce your risk of some chronic diseases.

Studies have shown that this tea can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, both of which are risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

It also contains antioxidants, which can protect your cells from damage and may help to prevent some types of cancer.

2.   Boost brain health and improve cognitive function

One of these benefits is that it can help to boost brain health and improve cognitive function. Butterfly pea flowers contain a compound called quercetin which has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function.

Drinking it as a tea regularly can help to keep your mind sharp as you age and may even help to prevent degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Butterfly pea flower

3.   Promote weight loss

Butterfly pea tea can help promote healthy weight loss by increasing metabolism and suppressing appetite.

Additionally, this tea can help to break down fat cells and prevent the formation of new ones. Thus, drinking this tea regularly can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

4.   Improve digestion

Butterfly pea tea, specifically, may help improve digestion by stimulating the production of gastric juices and aiding in the movement of food through the digestive tract. It may also help to reduce bloating and gas.

5.   Reduce inflammation

Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injury or infection, but it can also be a cause of many chronic diseases.

This tea can help to reduce inflammation by reducing the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body. This can reduce the symptoms of diseases such as arthritis, asthma, and heart disease.

Conclusion

Butterfly pea tea is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy tea. It has many health benefits, including reducing anxiety and stress, and it is also a great source of antioxidants. If you are looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy tea, then this tea definitely worth trying.

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