Have you ever heard of butterfly pea powder or butterfly pea tea? If not, you are in the right place to learn all about this amazing powder and tea and all of its health benefits. Butterfly pea powder has been used for centuries in holistic and ayurvedic medicine. The powder comes from the dried flowers of the Clitoria ternatea a flowering vine that grows primarily in Southeast Asia and it has been used for centuries as a tea, medicine, and natural dye.
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Butterfly pea flower tea is also known as Asian- pigeon wing tea in Asian countries. The beautiful color of this tea is what has it growing in popularity in the United States. Chef’s and bartender’s alike are using butterfly pea powder and butterfly pea tea to bring color to rice, smoothies, desserts, and cocktails to make them more visually appealing.
Color Changing Properties
Butterfly pea powder possesses some very interesting color-changing properties which in recent years has made its use much more popular. Butterfly pea tea and butterfly pea powder are originally a shade of blue, the deepness and hue of the color will vary somewhat from batch to batch depending on the nutrients and pH levels of the soil that the plant was grown in, but they all have a brilliant blue color.
The vibrant blue pigment in butterfly pea powder comes from anthocyanin a flavonoid found in many foods like blueberries, and red cabbage. Foods containing anthocyanin are known to have a wide range of health benefits. In butterfly pea tea, the anthocyanin acts as a base indicator, meaning that the color of the tea will change depending on the pH level of what is added to it.
Do you want your butterfly pea tea to be purple? Then add a splash of lemon juice to it, and watch as the acidic juice turns the tea from blue to purple. Are you looking for pink tea instead? Then add some hibiscus petals to the brew when steeping for a brilliant pink color. Even though butterfly pea tea is vividly colored it will not stain your teeth.
Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Powder/Butterfly Pea Tea
As mentioned earlier, butterfly pea tea has been used for centuries as medicine because it has a variety of health benefits. Butterfly pea tea is anti-inflammatory and reduces swelling which makes it ideal for those with headaches, healing wounds, or pain. Butterfly pea tea helps to regulate blood sugar which makes it an ideal drink for diabetics.
Butterfly pea tea also promotes healthy eye, brain, skin, and hair health. Drinking butterfly pea tea can make your skin look younger, prevent memory loss related to aging, keep your eyesight clear, and prevent hair loss. Recent studies have shown that drinking butterfly pea tea can help to promote weight loss. Butterfly pea tea also helps to promote a healthy heart and reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.
Taste of Butterfly Pea Tea
Butterfly pea tea tastes a little like a lighter version of green tea and a little like chamomile tea. The tea has an earthy, sometimes grassy taste and it blends well with other ingredients like lemongrass and hibiscus petals.
How to Brew Butterfly Pea Tea
Butterfly pea tea is very simple to brew. You simply take your butterfly pea tea and place it in your teapot with warm water. Allow the tea to steep for at least five minutes, and then strain the tea into your favorite teacup. Enjoy! Butterfly pea tea can be served hot, iced, or like a latte. Recipes calling for the use of butterfly pea tea and butterfly pea powder are becoming increasingly more popular making it a very versatile ingredient.
How to Use Butterfly Pea Powder
Butterfly pea powder can be added to drinks, smoothies, or yogurt. You can sprinkle it on top of your oatmeal and mix it into baked goodies like cookies. Add it to your lemon water for a colorful, and healthy drink. Hard boil eggs in regular water and then allow them to soak in water mixed with butterfly pea powder for a gorgeous purple egg. Chef’s and mixologists are finding new ways to use butterfly pea powder every day!
Butterfly pea powder can also be used for more than just food and drinks. Butterfly pea powder is great for your skin and your hair as well and there are many beauty products on the market that contain it.
Where to Find Butterfly Pea Powder and Butterfly Pea Tea
Butterfly pea powder and butterfly pea tea can be found in some health food stores, or grocery chain stores like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. If you can’t find it in a store near you, you can find lots of options online.
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Are you ready to try this vibrantly colored, good-for-you tea yet? If you are looking for a way to impress your guest’s butterfly pea tea may be just the thing you need. This tea is healthy and delicious and definitely worth a try.
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