Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Tea or Asian ‘pigeonwing’ tea is a caffeine-free tisane (tuh’zain) drink. When combined with acidic ingredients like lemon juice, the colour will change to lavender. The flowers are native to Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia but can be found in other Southeast Asian countries. This joyfully blue tea has been enjoyed in Thailand for centuries. It's simple to make at home.

Tea connoisseurs know not to use an aluminium pot when making this tea as it will give the tea a metallic taste. Tea should be made with soft, filtered water to prevent any unwanted chlorine or other chemicals from tainting the delicate flavour of the tea.

There are many ways to make Butterfly Pea Flower Tea. Proper preparation of this tea is key to enjoying its benefits. Here are some tips on how to make Butterfly Pea Flower Tea properly.

Medicinal properties of blue butterfly pea flower tea include controlling blood sugar levels, hair growth, pain relief, and improved eyesight. This tea is also known to boost cognitive function and intelligence. This tea has a sweet and flowery flavour with a hint of mint. 

Brew Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Brewing butterfly pea flower tea is a simple process that only requires a small handful of ingredients. All you need is water, tea leaves, and a sweetener of your choice.

To start, bring a pot of water to a boil and then remove it from the heat to let it cool slightly. This step is important because you don't want to burn the delicate tea leaves. Next, add a small handful of tea leaves to your teapot or infuser. If you're using an infuser, make sure to give the leaves plenty of room to expand so they can release their flavour properly.

Then, pour the hot water over the tea leaves and let them steep for 3-5 minutes. The longer you let the tea steep, the stronger the flavour will be.

Once the tea has finished steeping, add your preferred sweetener and enjoy! Butterfly pea flower tea is a refreshing and fragrant beverage that can be enjoyed hot or cold. It's also naturally caffeine-free, so it's a great choice for those who are looking for an alternative to traditional tea.

Steep Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

To make the tea, steep 1-2 teaspoons of butterfly pea flowers in hot water for 3-5 minutes. Be sure to taste the tea as you go so you don't overdo it. You can sweeten the tea with honey or sugar if desired.

Try mixing this tea with other things such as lemon juice to see how it changes colour, from blue to purple!

Infuse Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

To make a strong infusion, use 2 grams of dried butterfly pea flowers per 100ml of water. This is around 2 heaped teaspoons. The longer you infuse this tea, the more potent your drink will be. Cover your tea cup while infusing to minimise the evaporation of the tea’s properties and oils. 

If you are new to Butterfly Pea Tea, start by infusing for 1-2 minutes. If you like a more potent tea, increase the infusion time to 3-5 minutes. You can re-infuse butterfly pea flowers several times. The general rule is that you can infuse the tea 3 times before the flavour starts to deteriorate.

Cold Infusion Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

You can also infuse it cold. This is especially preferable when creating culinary, edible, creations.  For iced tea, cold brewing is best to avoid any bitterness. To cold brew, add 1 teaspoon of butterfly pea flowers per cup of water to a glass jar. Fill the rest of the way with cold water and stir. Let sit for at least 4 hours, up to 12 hours. Strain the tea into another jar or pitcher, and serve over ice. You can also add some sweetener, fresh fruit, or mint leaves to the tea if desired.

Butterfly pea flower tea is a refreshing and healthy beverage that can be enjoyed daily. By following these tips, you can make a delicious cup of tea that is perfect for any time of day.