Calming herbal tea options like chamomile and butterfly pea flower tea are mainly popular because of the several health benefits that are usually associated with them. Better sleep? Check. Loads of antioxidants and better skin texture? Check, check.
Butterfly pea flower tea, to be specific, is brewed using the leaves from a plant called Clitoria ternatea, often referred to as Asian pigeonwings, and is linked to multiple health benefits like weight loss and keeping your blood sugar levels under control. Butterfly pea flower tea may be the right choice for you if you’re looking to incorporate a new herbal tea into your wellness routine.
Not a fan of tea? No problem. Butterfly pea flower can be enjoyed in several other ways, including desserts and beverages like cocktails.
What is Butterfly Pea Flower?
The butterfly pea flower comes from the Asian pigeonwings plant, found in certain parts of Southeast Asia, Costa Rica, and Australia. The most common variety of butterfly pea flower is known for its signature blue color. It is a prevalent ingredient in traditional Thai dishes like sticky mango rice.
That said, the butterfly pea flower is truly multi-purpose and can be used to achieve a stunning bright color in:
- Cocktails
- Tea
- Lemonade
- Syrup
- Dumplings
- Desserts
Blue Butterfly Pea Flower
Blue is one of the most prominent colors associated with the butterfly pea flower. Here’s a fun tip – you can experiment with the dried flowers by steeping them in piping-hot water and squeezing a lemon into the concoction.
You’ll notice that the color of the liquid has now transformed into a gorgeous purple hue. Unbelievable, isn’t it? The more lemon you add to your concoction, the more it transforms into different vibrant shades.
Also, the blue butterfly pea flower has been a part of Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years in Southeast Asia.
Patients are generally advised to consume butterfly pea flowers if they have:
- Digestive issues
- Respiratory diseases
- Reproductive issues
Red Butterfly Pea Flower
We weren’t kidding. When mixed with the right ingredients, the butterfly pea flower switches to unbelievable colors.
Wondering what causes this incredible phenomenon to unfold in the first place? The butterfly pea flower reacts with the pH of the liquid it is mixed with, producing amazing results.
And guess what? The colors aren’t limited to shades of blue. You can even go ahead and make yourself a steaming cup of red butterfly pea flower tea by brewing it with hibiscus flowers for a vibrant red drink.
Zohna Tip
Butterfly pea flower tea is versatile. Feel free to enjoy the drink hot or iced based on your preferences.
Butterfly Pea Flower Plant
No, it is not a misleading name. The butterfly pea flower plant is genuinely favored by butterflies, who love flocking to the plant. The leaves of this plant (in full bloom) are usually a mix of blue and pink hues or just a gorgeous shade of violet.
The butterfly pea flower plant, or Asian pigeonwings, is popular across the world and is helpful in:
- Ayurvedic medicine
- Preparing colorful beverages
- Adding a bright natural color to desserts and other food items
Butterfly Pea Flower Seeds
Believe it or not, butterfly pea flower seeds are easy to handle. Note that the seeds need to be planted in soil that’s damp. That said, it’s wise to avoid adding too much water to the soil.
When the butterfly pea flower plant starts growing, you’re likely to notice that it does well on its own and doesn’t need extensive care. You can expect the germination process to begin after a couple of weeks. Also, it can take as long as three months for the flowers to appear.
Zohna Tip
If you've bought butterfly pea flower seeds and are hoping to have a butterfly pea flower plant of your own, you'll have to consider different factors, such as the optimal weather conditions.
Butterfly Pea Flower Taste
If you’re curious about what butterfly pea flower actually tastes like when it’s added to tea or other beverages, we’re here to help you out with all the answers. The best way to describe the taste of butterfly pea flower is to imagine a combination of several flavors that aren’t too overpowering or sweet.
Butterfly pea flower tea tends to taste:
- A little earthy
- Sweet
- Floral
If you’re a fan of herbal tea like mugwort tea, chances are your taste buds will be highly pleased by the butterfly pea flower and its unique flavors. Also, if you’ve tried chamomile tea in the past, you may find that butterfly pea flower tea has a similar taste.
Butterfly Pea Flower Benefits
Everybody appreciates hearing about some of the perks attached to their favorite food and beverages. Here’s a relatable example: it gives you a much-needed boost to know that your flaxseed obsession is paying off, right?
If you love butterfly pea flowers or are considering incorporating them into your daily routine, you’ll be happy to know that the flower has been linked to various health benefits. Without further ado, let’s dive straight in.
Butterfly Pea Flower Benefits for Skin
Skincare enthusiasts, this one is for you. The butterfly pea flower may help enhance your skin’s overall texture. In fact, don’t be surprised if you spot butterfly pea flower extract as an ingredient in one of your skincare products.
In fact, studies have shown that butterfly pea flower extract can improve hydration by as much as 70 percent, which is excellent news for anyone dealing with persistently dry skin.
The butterfly pea flower may also help your skin in other ways, such as:
- It may help get rid of dull skin and make it glow
- It may cause the skin to look younger thanks to its full of antioxidants
- The butterfly pea flower may also help soothe irritated skin
If you try a product formulated with butterfly pea flower extract, don’t forget to do a patch test before applying it to your face to check for allergic reactions.
Butterfly Pea Flower for Weight Loss
If you’re trying to shed some pounds, you may want to sip on butterfly pea flower tea more often. This superfood may help keep your blood sugar levels under control. The best part? It can also improve your metabolism.
If you’re accustomed to drinking sugary drinks like soda, swap them out for a low-calorie, sugar-free option like butterfly pea flower tea. Because it’s caffeine-free, you can make yourself a cup of butterfly pea flower tea as often as you like without experiencing sleep issues.
Butterfly Pea Flower for Better Hair
While more conclusive studies are needed, researchers have indicated that butterfly pea flower extract may help boost hair growth. While this may seem too good to be true, a study has revealed that butterfly pea flower extract might be an effective tool in the battle against hair loss. It may promote hair growth and increase blood circulation on your scalp.
And, of course, the fact that butterfly pea flower is loaded with antioxidants is always good news if you’re looking for longer and healthier hair.
Butterfly Pea Flower for Better Cognition
If you’re searching for ways to improve your memory and enhance your cognitive skills, you may want to add butterfly pea flower to your diet. You could perhaps add it to your lemonade to prepare a bright blue drink. Or go ahead and make a cup of butterfly pea flower tea when you’re in the mood for a comforting hot beverage.
Either way, regularly consuming butterfly pea flower may help improve your memory and boost your cognitive skills.
Do you need a quick roundup of the benefits of the butterfly pea flower? Check out the table below.
| Butterfly Pea Flower Benefits | Description |
| May enhance your skin texture | Thanks to the fact that it’s packed with antioxidants, butterfly pea flower may improve your skin texture and make it look younger |
| It may help you lose weight | Butterfly pea flower has been known to boost metabolism, which may help you shed those extra pounds |
| May help fight hair loss | Butterfly pea flower could give you stronger hair and may improve blood circulation on your scalp |
| It could improve your cognitive abilities | If you’re looking for a way to pick up new skills faster and improve your ability to focus on tasks at work, butterfly pea flower may help you do exactly that |
Butterfly Pea Flower Side Effects
While no significant side effects have been reported, butterfly pea flower may cause discomfort in some individuals. Here’s a list of some of the side effects observed so far.
Nausea
Note that more research is needed to understand the potential side effects of butterfly pea flower. That said, anecdotal evidence indicates that the butterfly pea flower has caused some individuals to experience nausea and stomach discomfort.
If you experience nausea or vomiting after consuming butterfly pea flower in any form, consult a doctor immediately.
Stomach Aches
Some individuals may experience stomach pain after consuming butterfly pea flower. If this happens to you, it’s best to stop consuming butterfly pea flower and speak to a medical professional for advice.
Note that this isn’t a common side effect, and it’s likely that you’ll experience it. But do talk to your doctor if something feels off.
An Upset Stomach
If you suddenly find yourself rushing to the restroom more often than usual, you could be experiencing symptoms of diarrhea. If you think your cup of butterfly pea flower tea is the culprit, consider avoiding it until your symptoms disappear.
If you’ve ruled out any other possibilities and think your body doesn’t respond well to butterfly pea flower tea, consider other herbal tea options like Cerasee tea or arnica tea.
Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
Some of us swear by our daily cup of Earl Grey tea or can’t stop raving about some of the most powerful spearmint tea benefits we experience regularly. Some love sampling herbal tea options, including the bright blue butterfly pea flower tea.
This beverage is easy to brew at home and can be enjoyed at any time of the day, thanks to the fact that it doesn’t have any stimulants like caffeine.
Zohna Tip
Add dried butterfly pea flowers to boiling water and allow the concoction to brew for five minutes before straining it. Feel free to add a sweetener, such as Stevia or honey.
Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Benefits
If you’re a fan of butterfly pea flower tea and love sipping on it as you go about your day, you’ll be happy to know that you’re likely to enjoy numerous benefits from your healthy habit. Here’s a quick look at some of the major benefits of incorporating butterfly pea flower tea into your routine.
| Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Benefits | Description |
| Butterfly pea flower tea may help you feel calmer | This is especially relevant if you’re prone to experiencing anxiety after a cup of joe. A non-caffeine option like butterfly pea flower tea can help you feel calmer and more relaxed |
| It may give your immune system an automatic boost | A drink like a butterfly pea flower tea that’s full of antioxidants may improve your overall health |
| Butterfly pea flower may improve the quality of your hair and skin | Simply adding a cup or two of butterfly pea flower tea to your daily routine can make your hair stronger and give your skin a natural glow |
8 Ways to Enjoy Butterfly Pea Flower
While butterfly pea flower tea is a great option, it’s okay if you’re not a big fan of piping hot tea and prefer other options. We’ve curated a helpful list of ideas that you should consider the next time you want to experiment with butterfly pea flower.
Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktail
Want to add an interesting color to your cocktails without too much effort? Add butterfly pea flower to your cocktails to make them look extra vibrant.
Remember that adding lemon to the cocktail will lead to a gorgeous rich color that will delight your guests.
Zohna Tip
Follow the same process as you would while making butterfly pea flower tea to prepare syrup that can later be added to cocktails. Consider adding sugar to the syrup for extra flavor.
Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade
Imagine sipping from a tall glass of butterfly pea flower lemonade on a hot summer day. Sounds heavenly, doesn’t it?
This is definitely doable; you must prepare butter pea flower tea, strain it, and add the liquid to lemonade with lots of ice.
Butterfly Pea Flower Gin
Look no further if you’re hosting a big party and need colorful beverage ideas for your guests. Prepare butterfly pea flower gin in advance to surprise your guests with a drink that’s flavorful and delightful to look at.
Add butterfly pea flower tea to a glass of gin with ice before pouring tonic water for a stunning purple drink bound to make a solid impression at the party.
Butterfly Pea Flower Syrup
You may want to prepare a fresh batch of butterfly pea flower syrup if you’re looking for an easy solution to add vibrant hues to your drinks, desserts, and even pancakes.
The best part about using butterfly pea flower syrup is that it has a mild flavor and won’t drastically alter the flavor profile of your drink or dish.
Butterfly Pea Flower Latte
Believe it or not, you can make yourself a nice, comforting cup of butterfly pea flower latte on a boring day. Many people prefer to use plant-based milk options like coconut milk to prepare the latte.
You can add dried butterfly pea flower leaves or powder to your latte. If you use the former, remember to strain your beverage before serving it.
Butterfly Pea Flower Drink
A butterfly pea flower drink can be a fun and innovative way to keep yourself hydrated. Bored of drinking plain old water? Take a break and reward yourself with a butter pea flower drink instead.
This could be a refreshing drink, such as a butterfly pea flower lemonade or a butterfly pea flower cocktail. The vibrant blue colors will keep you hooked.
Butterfly Pea Flower Rice
Want to make lunchtime a fun meal for your kids? Experiment with funky options, such as butterfly pea flower rice, for a dish that tastes and looks delicious.
Try a recipe like this to prepare a delectable Malaysian dish that’ll leave everyone begging for another generous serving.
Butterfly Pea Flower Dessert
How do you feel about digging into a delicious bright blue dessert that tastes incredible? If you can’t wait to try this, we have good news for you – there are plenty of promising options worth trying.
Need a few ideas? Make yourself a batch of hot pancakes with butterfly pea flower syrup, or add butterfly pea flower to a popular dessert like a lime tart for a refreshing twist. You can also experiment with other butterfly pea flower dessert options like jelly, cheesecake, pudding, and sponge cake.
FAQ
What Does Butterfly Pea Flower Taste Like?
If you’re familiar with the taste of chamomile tea, you’ll notice that butterfly pea flower tea is somewhat similar. It is slightly sweet and has a floral and earthy flavor.
Pro tip: if you’d like your cup of butterfly pea flower tea to taste sweeter, don’t hesitate to add a sweetener like an agave syrup.
Is Butterfly Pea Flower Poisonous?
Yes and no. Butterfly pea flower is safe to consume in moderation but like most things in life, remember not to go overboard. The butterfly pea flower can be toxic if you have too much of it.
Also, to be safe, avoid using the seeds or roots of the butterfly pea flower plant and stick to its flowers.
Where Can I Buy Butterfly Pea Flower?
You can easily find butterfly pea flower online on sites such as Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy. Remember to check the reviews to ensure you’re purchasing a high-quality product.
Ready to Give Butterfly Pea Flower a Shot Yet?
Butterfly pea flower has been linked to numerous health benefits. It can be added to your daily routine in several ways. Brew a hot cup of blue butterfly pea flower tea or go ahead and add butterfly pea flower to beverages, such as lemonade and cocktails.
If you’re motivated, prepare a dessert with butterfly pea flower to add color to your sweet treats without using artificial food coloring agents.
