A tea that changes color? You don’t need to cook or do magic, just butterfly pea tea. We’ll explain what it’s made of, the effect it produces, and how you too can easily create surprised faces with a hot drink.
What is tea made of?
Butterfly pea chili flower tea is made from the petals of the butterfly pea plant. The butterfly pea plant, also known as the blue pubic flower or blue clitoris (yes, because its flowers look a bit like female genitalia), is native to Africa and Southeast Asia.
The tea is naturally blue in color and is made up of the hand-picked flowers of the butterfly pea, also known as the Asiatic pigeon pea. They are collected during flowering in the early hours of the morning and immediately dried in the sun. Butterfly pea tea is traditionally served with honey and lemon over ice.
When water is added, the tea turns a deep cobalt blue color. Add a few dashes of lemon and the liquid turns purple. The tea changes color depending on what it is mixed with. It turns light red when mixed with pink hibiscus flowers, but when mixed with mineral water, it turns greyish. The decisive factor is the pH value of the ingredient with which the tea is mixed.
The flowers are also very popular for making cocktails. By the way, one of the first to celebrate tea with its mesmerizing play of colors and to create a stir in the United States was Dominique Ansel, the inventor of the cronut, no less.
What effects does the tea have?
Butterfly pea flower tea and its benefits has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for various ailments, against stress, depression and to improve memory. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are attributed to it, which calm and relieve anxiety, as well as a draining and antispasmodic effect.
It is also believed to strengthen hair and delay graying by stimulating blood circulation to the scalp. Drinking this tea is also believed to have positive effects on vision and fertility. It is also believed to improve cell health and therefore reduce the risk of cancer.
It is also believed that the butterfly pea tea is good for the skin, as it delays the formation of wrinkles and the aging of the skin.
What does butterfly pea tea taste like and how is it made?
Its flavor is like that of black or green tea, that is, rather earthy and woody, rather than sweet as the color suggests. However, Thais like their tea very sweet and for this reason they add citrus fruits such as orange or lime and palm sugar. It is also often mixed with lemongrass.
In Southeast Asia, by the way, tea is used both in dishes and in drinks. In Thai restaurants, for example, it is used to give a natural color to dishes such as rice desserts. Preparing the infusion is easy: strain 5-6 flowers into a cup of hot water and let it steep for 5-8 minutes. Adding water and lemon or lime juice creates a play of colours. Try it yourself.
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5 Super Benefits Of Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS – IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF THE SKIN.
The high concentration of antioxidants stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin in the skin.
Therefore, the consumption of blue pea flower tea helps to maintain beautiful skin, reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging.
ANTI-STRESS
Aside from the blue color, which is known to give a feeling of well-being, regular consumption of butterfly pea flower tea also has a calming effect on the body.
Its mineral and vitamin content helps reduce stress and anxiety. Very effective for the feeling of temporary fatigue.
BENEFICIAL FOR EYE HEALTH.
The anthocyanins contained in blue pea flowers help improve blood flow to the capillaries of the eye. Thus, the clarity and sharpness of our vision improves.
In the Asian pharmacopoeia, the juice of the leaves and flowers, packaged in eye drops, is used to treat eye problems.
IMPROVES MEMORY
Several scientific studies have shown the nootropic functions of the flowers. The consumption of butterfly flower tea increases the levels of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter for the proper functioning of the brain.
In this way, we improve our cognitive functions, such as concentration, attention and memory.
IMPROVES HAIR GROWTH.
The presence of bioflavonoids (also known as flavonoids or ancient vitamin P) promotes hair growth, helps to thicken it and reduces gray hair.
In addition, they well nourish the roots of the hair, making it less brittle and brighter (it is this tint of blue shampoos that works to give colored hair a shine, soften red tones, and brighten white and gray hair). Acquire butterfly pea tea fast and easy.