Butterfly pea flowers (Clitoria ternatea) are vibrant Southeast Asia and India. They are notable for their striking deep blue color, which is due to the presence of anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant.
More importantly for us, they are traditionally brewed as a most relaxing herbal tea. In Ayurveda, these flowers are known as 'Aparajita', and are attributed a good number of benefits.
Butterfly pea flowers are also widely popular in the culinary world. Their petals are often brewed into a tea, which changes color depending on the pH level; for instance, adding lemon juice to the tea will turn it a vibrant purple. This unique property makes butterfly pea flowers a favorite ingredient for creating visually appealing drinks and dishes. Beyond teas, they are also used as natural food colorants in desserts, cocktails, and rice dishes, providing both aesthetic appeal and nutritional value.
TYPE |
Tisane |
ORIGIN |
Sukhothai, Thailand |
TASTING NOTES |
Soybean, violets |
GROWN BY |
S. Inprang & Co Op
|
Brewing Guide
WATER |
100º C | 212 º F 240ml | 8oz |
TEA |
3-5 Flowers |
STEEP STYLE |
180 Seconds |
EQUIPMENT |
glass teacup |
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
This tisane is traditionally served with brown sugar and a few drops of lime, lemon or kalamansi. The edible flowers will steep to a deep blue colour and change to bright purple when you add the citrus.