How to Make Butterfly Pea Tea (Hot and Iced)

This beautiful and bright blue tea is named so appropriately. Butterfly pea flower tea is an herbal tea made from dried butterfly pea flowers and when steeped with water it creates the most lovely color. Try adding lemon and watch the liquid turn purple! Enjoy this butterfly pea flower tea recipe!

This recipe was originally posted on June 7, 2021, but has been recently updated to add more details!

I am obsessed with this tea! It is such an enjoyable, beautiful, and healthy tea. I love that the flowers are as beautiful as the prepared tea! A favorite of mine is experimenting with changing the shades of this tea from light blue to dark and into a gorgeous purple hue. This tea can be enjoyed hot or iced, or even as a blue latte. No matter how you choose to enjoy it, this one is sure to impress. For more ideas, try this butterfly pea flower simple syrup recipe!

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WHAT IS BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER TEA?

Also commonly known as Asian pigoenwings, blue tea, or butterfly pea, butterfly pea flower tea is a unique herbal tea made from dried butterfly pea flowers. The flowers are harvested from the clitoria ternatea plant and have been used for centuries to make traditional medicines, food coloring, and teas in many parts of Asia. The tea is naturally caffeine-free since it’s made from flowers. It has a sweet and earthy taste resembling the flavor of honey and is high in antioxidants!

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS TEA!

• Beautiful color.
• Full of health benefits.
• Refreshing.
• Tastes wonderful hot or iced.
• Lots of fun to interact with!

HOW TO MAKE BUTTERFLY PEA TEA

Let’s get started on how to make butterfly pea tea with dried flowers!

Helpful Kitchen Tools

• Electric, or Stovetop Tea Kettle
• Tea Pot
• Tea Cup

INGREDIENTS

• Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
• Filtered Water
• Honey (optional)
• Lemon (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1 . Bring water to a boil on the stovetop or in an electric kettle.

2. First, warm your pot up to keep the temperature consistent. To do this, add a bit of hot water, swirl it around, and then discard the water.

3. Add tea flowers and pour over hot water.

4. Steep for 5 minutes up to 10 minutes (see below for tips to lighten or darken the blue shade)

5. Strain out tea or remove the infuser if you are using a tea infuser.

6. Pour into a tea cup.

7. Enjoy!

HOW TO MAKE BUTTERFLY PEA TEA CHANGE COLORS?

This tea will change color depending on what you add to it. Adding acidity, such as lemon changes the PH levels of the tea resulting in the color change.

• For purple, add lemon or lime. One lemon slice will color 1 glass. Enjoy watching the process!
• For a dark pink, mix with hibiscus tea.

TEA PREPARATION TIPS

• This tea has an earthy and very mild flavor. To make a strong tea steep for up to 10 minutes. 
• Note: The longer you steep the darker the color will be. If you are looking for a lighter brighter blue, steep only for up to 5 minutes.
• The easiest way to add sweetener to a cold tea is to use a simple syrup.
• Use only high-quality flowers from a trusted source
• For the best results, prepare your tea with filtered water
• Serve over butterfly ice cubes!

Iced Butterfly Pea Tea

Iced Butterfly Pea Tea is a refreshing and vibrant drink made with dried butterfly pea flowers. This tea has a unique flavor, with subtle earthy tones, and a beautiful blue hue that will make any beverage stand out. To make Iced Butterfly Pea Tea follow the directions above. After straining out the tea solids, allow the tea to cool to room temperature. Serve over ice! Sweet iced tea is a classic. Sweeten your iced butterfly pea tea with liquid sugar for a smooth sweet tea!

Cold Brew

Cold brew butterfly pea tea is a delicious and refreshing way to make iced tea with a unique flavor and beautiful blue hue. This method of making the tea takes a little more time, but cannot be easier to make. To make cold brew butterfly pea tea, start by adding butterfly pea flowers to a jar and pouring over water. secure the jar with an airtight lid. Let the tea steep in the jar for 4 hours (or overnight) and then strain into a glass and enjoy. You can store this tea in the refrigerator for several days.

HOW TO MAKE THIS TEA TASTE WONDERFUL with VARIATIONS

This tea has a very earthy taste. To add more flavor, I like to play around with various combinations:

• Add lemonade.
• Combine with lemon-lime soda.
• Add honey.
• Add in a lemon or lime slice. This will also make the tea turn a beautiful purple color.
• Chamomile and lemongrass are also popular additions.
• For more ideas, try this butterfly pea flower simple syrup recipe! 
• This tea also pairs well with other floral teas such as hibiscus and rose hip tea.

HOW TO ENJOY AND SERVE BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER TEA

Arguably the most beautiful tea, it doesn’t need a lot to enhance its looks. This tea has a very earthy taste similar to green tea. To serve, I like to provide the option of adding honey, pouring over ice, and of course, adding lemon! Your guests (or yourself!) will love watching it turn color. You can also make a simple syrup with this tea and add it to lemon-flavored soda, or lemonade to create a punch. 

Blue Latte

Blue Latte is a delicious and vibrant drink made with Butterfly Pea Flower tea. It has a unique flavor and beautiful blue hue that makes it the perfect refreshing beverage. The tea can be prepared hot or cold, depending on your preference.

Storage and Shelf Life

Butterfly pea flower tea has an impressively long shelf life. When stored correctly, dried butterfly pea flowers can last for up to two years! The key is to keep the tea away from moisture and direct sunlight. If stored properly in a sealed container or jar, the butterfly pea flower will retain its flavor and beautiful blue hue.

When storing prepared butterfly pea flower tea in the refrigerator, it is important to make sure that it is sealed tightly to protect its flavor. It can stay fresh for several days.

WHAT DOES BLUE TEA TASTE LIKE?

Blue tea has a very mild earthy and woody taste. It is naturally caffeine-free. It can be enjoyed hot or iced with other floral teas such as hibiscus and rose hip for an even more flavorful experience. When lemon is added to the butterfly pea flower tea, the liquid will turn a brilliant purple hue.

HEALTH BENEFITS AND RISKS

Butterfly pea flower tea is said to have many health benefits. It is a natural source of antioxidants that may help to strengthen the body and improve overall wellness. Some studies suggest the butterfly pea flower may promote anti-aging for the skin as well as promote possible hair growth. Read more about its benefits here.

Does Blue Tea have Caffeine?

Butterfly pea flower tea does not contain any caffeine, making it a great choice for those who want to reduce their caffeine intake or avoid it altogether. The tea is made from the dried flowers of the clitoria ternatea plant, which are naturally free of caffeine. This makes butterfly pea flower tea a great choice for those looking for a naturally caffeine-free drink.

How Many Cups of Butterfly Pea Tea Should I Drink a Day?

The amount of butterfly pea tea you should drink a day really depends on your individual needs. Generally speaking, butterfly pea tea is safe to consume in moderation. As with any changes to your health and wellness routine, be sure to consult with your trusted medical professional!

How Long to Brew Butterfly Pea Tea?

Butterfly pea flower tea is best enjoyed when brewed for up to 10 minutes, depending on your preferred strength. For a milder and lighter flavor, steep for only 5 minutes. If you want a stronger and darker color, add an extra few minutes to the steeping time. The longer the tea steeps, the deeper the blue hue and the more intense the flavor. Enjoy!

How many Butterfly Pea Flowers to Make tea?

The amount of butterfly pea flowers you will need to make tea depends on how strong or light you would like the flavor and how deep of a blue hue you would like. 

• Generally speaking, about 1 tablespoon of dried butterfly pea flowers per 8 ounces of water is enough to create a delicious cup of tea. 
• For a lighter brew, you can use about 1 teaspoon of dried butterfly pea flower for 8 ounces of water.

HOW TO PURCHASE Butterfly Pea Tea?

Are you wondering where to buy butterfly pea flower tea? I have found in my area that this tea is typically not stocked in the store. I have had luck purchasing online or from popular tea sellers. When looking to purchase this tea, I look for high-quality, food-grade, organic, loose-leaf tea.

MORE TEA RECIPES YOU ARE SURE TO LOVE!

• English Breakfast Tea
• Lady Grey Tea
• Ginger Chai
• Jasmine Tea
• Lemon Tea
• Butterfly Pea Flower Simple Syrup
• Bay Leaf Tea

I hope you enjoy this tea recipe. Leave a comment below and let’s connect!