Are you looking to create a visually stunning and refreshing beverage? Butterfly pea flower tea might be exactly what you need. This vibrant blue herbal infusion not only captivates with its color-changing properties but also delivers natural wellness advantages. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore delicious ways to prepare butterfly pea flower tea that will impress your family and friends.
What is Butterfly Pea Flower Tea?
Butterfly pea flower tea is an herbal tea made from the dried or fresh flowers of the Clitoria ternatea plant, native to Southeast Asia. The tea is renowned for its striking blue color that changes to purple when combined with acidic ingredients like lemon juice. Beyond its visual appeal, this caffeine-free beverage has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
How to Choose Quality Butterfly Pea Flowers
Before diving into recipes, let’s understand how to select the best butterfly pea flowers:
For fresh flowers:
- Choose vibrant blue flowers with intact petals
- Avoid flowers that appear crushed, wilted, or discolored
- Verify they are pesticide-free if possible
For dried flowers:
- Select flowers in sealed packaging with clear origin information
- Check for bright blue color without discoloration
- Avoid damp or expired products
- Purchase from reputable suppliers like Chabuca’s
Three Delicious Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Recipes
1. Butterfly Pea Flower Tea with Honey
Prep time: 5 minutes | Brewing time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients (1 serving):
- 10 fresh butterfly pea flowers (or 5g dried)
- 1 fl oz (30ml) honey
- 6.1 fl oz (180 ml) warm water (about 185°F/85°C)
- Ice cubes (optional)
Instructions:
1.1. Prepare the flowers: Rinse 10 fresh butterfly pea flowers briefly under clean water to remove dust. Drain thoroughly.
1.2. Steep the tea: Pour 6.1 fl oz of warm water (approximately 185°F/85°C) over the flowers in a clear glass. Allow them to steep for about 5 minutes for fresh flowers or 10 minutes for dried flowers.
1.3. Strain: Use a spoon to remove all the flowers once the water has turned a rich blue color.
1.4. Sweeten: Add 1fl oz of honey to the blue infusion and stir until completely dissolved.
1.5. Serve: Enjoy warm or add ice cubes for a refreshing cold beverage.
Pro Tips:
- Adjust honey quantity based on your sweetness preference
- If adding ice, brew the tea slightly stronger to prevent dilution
- For maximum health benefits, use raw, unfiltered honey
How to Verify Real Honey Quality:
- Drop a small amount into a glass of water—real honey forms round beads rather than immediately dissolving
- Place a few drops on blotting paper—pure honey remains round and dissolves slowly, while adulterated honey quickly spreads and absorbs
2. Butterfly Pea Flower Tea with Chia Seeds
Prep time: 5 minutes | Brewing time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients (1 serving):
- 10 fresh butterfly pea flowers (or 5g dried)
- 2 teaspoons rock sugar (or preferred sweetener)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 7 fl oz (200 ml) warm water
- Ice cubes (optional)
Instructions:
2.1 Prepare the flowers: Rinse the butterfly pea flowers briefly with clean water to remove any dust, then drain thoroughly.
2.2. Steep the tea: Pour 6 fl oz of warm water (about 185°F) into a glass with the butterfly pea flowers. Allow to steep for 5 minutes (or 10 minutes for dried flowers).
2.3. Prepare chia seeds: While the tea steeps, soak 1 tablespoon of chia seeds in 1 fl oz of warm water for about 5 minutes until they become gel-like.
2.4. Combine: Remove the flowers from the steeped tea. Add rock sugar to the blue infusion and stir until dissolved. Add the soaked chia seeds to the sweetened tea.
2.5. Serve: Enjoy warm or add ice cubes for a refreshing cold beverage.
Pro Tips:
- Select high-quality chia seeds that are uniform in size, light brown in color, shiny, and have a distinctive aroma
- Avoid chia seeds with uneven coloration or an oily smell
- Adjust sweetness according to preference, adding more sweetener if serving with ice
3. Color-Changing Butterfly Pea Flower Tea with Lemon
Prep time: 5 minutes | Brewing time: 5 minutes | Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients (1 serving):
- 10 fresh butterfly pea flowers (or 5g dried)
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 thin lemon slice for garnish
- 1 fl oz honey or 2 teaspoons rock sugar
- 6.1 fl oz (180 ml) warm water
Instructions:
3.1. Prepare the flowers: Soak butterfly pea flowers in clean water for about 3 minutes to remove dust and dirt, then drain thoroughly.
3.2. Steep the tea: Pour 6.1 fl oz of warm water (185°F) over the flowers and steep for 5 minutes (10 minutes for dried flowers).
3.3. Sweeten: Remove the flowers from the infusion. Add honey or rock sugar to the blue tea and stir until completely dissolved.
3.4. Create the magic: Add lemon juice to the sweetened tea and watch as the color transforms from blue to purple! Stir well to ensure even color distribution.
3.5. Garnish and serve: Float a thin slice of lemon in the tea. Enjoy warm for throat-soothing benefits or chilled as a refreshing beverage.
Pro Tips:
- Choose lemons that feel heavy for their size with shiny, smooth skin that gives slightly when pressed
- Avoid lemons that feel lightweight, have dull skin, or feel hard with no elasticity
- The color change occurs due to the reaction between the anthocyanins in the tea and the acid in the lemon
- Warm lemon butterfly pea tea is especially soothing for the throat
4. Other recipes for making butterfly pea flower tea.
We’ve written detailed articles on other butterfly pea flower tea recipes — click the titles below to learn more.
4.1. Butterfly Pea Flower Mangosteen Tea
4.2. Butterfly Pea Flower Boba Tea
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use butterfly pea flower for cooking?
A: Absolutely! Beyond beverages, butterfly pea flower makes a beautiful natural food coloring for desserts, rice dishes, and cocktails.
Q: How many cups of butterfly pea flower tea can I drink daily?
A: Most people can safely enjoy 2-3 cups daily, but consult with a healthcare provider if you have specific health concerns.
Q: Does butterfly pea flower tea contain caffeine?
A: No, it’s completely caffeine-free, making it suitable for evening consumption.
Q: How should I store dried butterfly pea flowers?
A: Store in an airtight container away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture to preserve color and potency.
Q: How many butterfly pea flowers per cup of tea?
A: 10 fresh butterfly pea flowers (or 5g dried)
Q: What else can I make with butterfly pea flower tea besides drinking it?
Butterfly pea flower tea isn’t just enjoyed as a drink—it’s also a beautiful, functional ingredient used in many recipes. Below are some creative ways to incorporate it into your cooking and drinks:
– Butterfly Pea Flower Jelly
Conclusion
Butterfly pea flower tea offers a delightful sensory experience with its stunning color, subtle flavor, and impressive health benefits. Whether you prefer it with honey, chia seeds, or as a color-changing lemon-infused beverage, this versatile tea deserves a place in your wellness routine. By following our expert preparation methods and quality selection tips, you’ll create perfect butterfly pea flower tea every time.
Try these recipes today and discover why this traditional herbal tea has become increasingly popular worldwide.