Butterfly pea flower tea is a rich, vibrant brew that’s as enchanting to make as it is to sip.
Hailing from Southeast Asia, this caffeine-free herbal tea isn’t only visually pleasing, it’s also filled with antioxidants and steeped in calming vibes.
Fun fact: It’s literally “blue” in color, like a mystical potion, and it’s something I really enjoy sipping.
If you’re intrigued already, let me share an easy butterfly pea flower tea recipe, plus tips to tweak it to your liking.
Table of Contents
What is blue tea?
Butterfly pea flower tea is also famously called blue tea. It’s made of butterfly pea flower extracts and other herbs and spices. It’s a caffeine-free herbal tea that also makes for a refreshing drink. It’s basically an infusion of dried flower petals.
Owing to its blue color, some people asked: is butterfly pea flower poisonous? Well, it’s not! Natural food dyes and herbal medicine have been using it safely for centuries, and no research links it to toxic effects in normal amounts.
What you’ll need
- Butterfly pea flowers: 8-10 flowers (dried or fresh)
- Green tea leaves: 1/4th tbsp (optional)
- Lemon grass: 1/2tbsp (dried/fresh)
- Ginger: 1/2 inch or according to your taste
- Lime juice: 1 tbsp
- Cloves or/and peppers: 4-5
- Natural sweetener: honey or palm candy
- Mint leaves: 2-3 leaves for garnishing
Benefits of Butterfly Blue Tea
- Full of antioxidants: The tea is full of antioxidants like anthocyanins and ternatins that fight oxidative stress and protect the body from free radicals, possibly slowing down the aging process.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: The tea’s soothing effect helps with swelling and pain in the body, which makes it calming for inflammatory conditions.
- Enhances brain function: Known as a “brain herb” in Ayurvedic medicine, butterfly blue tea can help with conditions related to your brain or just give your brain health an extra boost.
- Relieves stress: The soothing properties of the tea calm the nervous system, helping alleviate symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety. Take it before bedtime for good sleep quality. Plus, you’ll be in a better mood.
- Regulates blood sugar levels: It’s great for diabetics or those at risk, as it slows sugar absorption in the bloodstream.
- Supports a healthy heart: Blue pea tea lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Thanks to the antioxidants, it improves cardiovascular function by preventing blood clot formation.
- Helps with digestion: If you have ongoing digestive issues such as bloating and indigestion, the tea relaxes your stomach muscles to promote better digestion. Replace your sugary drink with this vivid tea and you’ll keep off the unwanted fat.
- Makes your skin and hair vibrant: Abundant vitamins and antioxidants in blue tea inhibit skin aging and boost its health and tone. The same compounds also nourish hair follicles so they grow strong hair.
- Cooling effect: The tea’s cooling effect on the body makes it a soothing remedy for anyone experiencing heat-related conditions or those with a “Pitta” issue in Ayurveda.
- Better eye health: Proanthocyanidins in blue pea tea are linked to improved eyesight by boosting blood flow to the capillaries of the eyes. Also reduces eye strain, improves night vision, and protects against conditions like glaucoma.
How to Make Butterfly Pea Tea
- In a saucepan, add 2 cups of water (or adjust according to how much tea you’d like to make) and bring it to a boil.
- Once boiling, add fresh butterfly pea flowers (fresh or dried—whichever you have on hand). If you’d like, you can also add a small amount of green tea leaves at this point.
- Next, add some freshly ground ginger, a few cloves, and a pinch of black pepper to the boiling water.
- Let the mixture boil for 5–8 minutes until the water fizzes into a vibrant blue color.
- Turn off the heat. Add lemon slices or a squeeze of lemon for a zesty flavor, then cover the saucepan with a lid to let the flavors meld.
- For a slightly sweeter taste, now’s the time to stir in natural sweeteners like honey or palm candy. Artificial sugar might ruin this drink’s health benefits. (I personally enjoy it unsweetened.)
- After a few minutes, pour the blue tea into your cup.
- Serve and enjoy your beautifully colored tea! Drink it morning or afternoon, before hitting the bed, or any time the mood strikes.
Are there any side effects?
Generally, it’s safe when you consume it in moderation. But in some cases, drinking too much tea may leave you feeling nauseous and trigger stomach pain or diarrhea. Also, this tea isn’t recommended during pregnancy because flavonoids are known to trigger uterine contractions.
Buy Blue Tea – Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Bags
- Caffeine-free
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Naturally sun-dried
FAQs
What does blue tea taste like?
Blue butterfly pea tea has a mild, earthy flavor with subtle floral and grassy notes.
Can I drink blue butterfly pea tea every day?
You can drink it every day, any time you want. Though it’s best to stick to one or two cups daily to balance out your intake.,
How often can I drink it?
Two cups a day is a good amount.
Is blue tea good for periods?
While it’s not a cure-all for menstrual cramps, its anti-inflammatory properties and calming effects might help alleviate the discomfort.
How to make the tea taste better?
If you want to jazz up its flavor, add a squeeze of lemon (which not only brightens the taste but also transforms its color—a stunning purple), and a bit of honey, or even mix it with other herbal teas to create a richer cup.
Bottom line
Finally, blue tea is a magical and refreshing drink for every season. You can drink it hot or cold, and since it’s caffeine-free, it’s fine to drink regularly. So, do try this butterfly pea flower tea recipe and share it with your family, friends or anyone you care about. You can also prepare butterfly pea juice with the same ingredients, just without boiling the water and using chilled water instead.
