Butterfly Pea Flower

Butterfly pea flower, also known as Clitoria ternatea, is a flowering plant that belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is native to Southeast Asia, including countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

The butterfly pea flower is a perennial plant that can grow up to three meters in height. It produces beautiful blue-violet flowers, which have a unique shape resembling that of a butterfly. These flowers are also sometimes referred to as "blue tea" or "blue chai" due to the colour they produce when steeped in hot water.

In addition to their ornamental value, butterfly pea flowers are also used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, such as anxiety, depression, and inflammation. They contain a range of beneficial compounds, including antioxidants, flavonoids, and alkaloids.

Butterfly pea flowers are also popular in the culinary world. They can be used to add a natural blue colour to food and beverages, including rice dishes, cocktails, and desserts. The flowers themselves are edible and can be used fresh or dried in cooking.

Overall, butterfly pea flower is a versatile and beautiful plant with a range of potential health benefits and culinary uses.

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

To make tea from butterfly pea flower, you will need:

Ingredients:

• Dried butterfly pea flowers (about 2-3 teaspoons per cup of water)
• Water
• Honey or sweetener of your choice (optional)
• Lemon or lime juice (optional)

Instructions:

1. Boil water in a pot or kettle.
2. Add dried butterfly pea flowers to a teapot or infuser.
3. Pour hot water over the flowers.
4. Let it steep for 3-5 minutes until the water turns a deep blue colour.
5. Strain the flowers and discard them.
6. You can add honey or sweetener of your choice to taste.

For a colour-changing effect, add a few drops of lemon or lime juice to the tea, and it will turn from blue to pink or purple.

You can also make cold butterfly pea flower tea by letting the brewed tea cool down and adding ice cubes or refrigerating it for a few hours. Butterfly pea flower tea can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other herbs or fruits to create unique blends.

Butterfly Pea Flower Gin & Tonic

Here's a recipe for a popular cocktail that features butterfly pea flowers:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 3-4 oz tonic water
• 1/4 tsp butterfly pea flower powder (or a few dried flowers)
• Ice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.
2. Add ice and shake vigorously.
3. In a glass, sprinkle the butterfly pea flower powder or add the dried flowers.
4. Pour the shaken gin mixture over the flowers.
5. Add tonic water and stir gently.
6. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.

The butterfly pea flower will give the cocktail a deep blue colour, and when tonic water is added, it will turn a beautiful shade of violet or pink. Enjoy the visual spectacle, as well as the delicious taste of this unique cocktail!

Butterfly Pea Flower Facts

Here are some other interesting facts about butterfly pea flower:

1. In traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, butterfly pea flower is believed to have a calming effect and is used to treat anxiety and stress.
2. The plant is also used in traditional Thai medicine as a natural remedy for hair loss.
3. The flowers have been used in Southeast Asian cuisine for centuries and are used to colour rice, desserts, and drinks.
4. The plant is also grown as an ornamental plant and can be used to create beautiful blue-violet hedges and trellises.
5. Butterfly pea flower tea is believed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties and has been used in clinical studies for its potential health benefits.
6. In addition to the blue-violet flowers, the plant produces edible seed pods that can be eaten raw or cooked.
7. The plant is also known as "aparajita" in India, which means "the unconquerable" in Sanskrit.
8. Butterfly pea flower has been used as a natural dye for textiles, producing shades of blue, purple, and grey.
9. The plant is a nitrogen-fixing legume, meaning it has the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that can be used by other plants and soil microorganisms.
10. The plant is easy to grow and can be cultivated in a wide range of soils and climates.

In summary, Butterfly pea flower (Clitoria ternatea) is a tropical plant commonly found in Southeast Asia. It has various medicinal properties and is used in traditional medicine to treat fever, inflammation, and anxiety. Butterfly pea flowers are also used in culinary preparations, such as making tea, colouring rice, and creating cocktails. It has a calming effect, and the tea is believed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. Additionally, the plant is grown as an ornamental plant, and the seed pods are edible. Butterfly pea flower has also been used as a natural dye for textiles, and it is easy to grow in a wide range of soils and climates.

Posted By Herb Wholesalers

Updated : 18th May 2023 | Words : 827 | Views : 1758