Butterfly Pea Tea: The Magical Herbal Drink That Changes Color

One of the most enchanting drinks I tried in Thailand wasn’t from a fancy café—it was from a roadside vendor in Chiang Mai. She handed me a cup of vivid blue tea, then added a squeeze of lime. Like magic, the deep blue turned a vibrant purple right before my eyes.

This is Butterfly Pea Tea—a visually stunning, caffeine-free herbal tea made from the flowers of the Clitoria ternatea plant. In this post, you’ll discover how it works, its health benefits, and how you can make your own at home.

What Is Butterfly Pea Tea?

Butterfly Pea Tea originates from Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. It’s made from dried butterfly pea flowers, known for their intense natural blue pigment.

The tea is naturally caffeine-free, and its earthy, slightly floral taste makes it soothing and refreshing—often served cold on hot days.

In Thai herbal medicine, it’s used as a calming drink and sometimes combined with lemongrass or pandan.

Why Does It Change Color?

The magic lies in its pH sensitivity.

When brewed, the tea is deep blue.
Add something acidic like lemon juice, and it turns violet or purple.
Mix it with hibiscus or berry juice, and it may shift to pink.

This makes it a favorite for color-changing cocktails, layered lattes, or even novelty desserts. Kids and adults alike love the visual experience!

Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Tea

Besides its beauty, Butterfly Pea Tea is believed to have health benefits:

Rich in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins
May support eye and skin health
May help reduce stress and anxiety
Thought to promote hair growth in some traditional medicine systems

While more research is needed, it’s a low-risk, enjoyable herbal tea that’s easy to add to your routine.

How to Make Butterfly Pea Tea at Home

Ingredients:

1 cup of hot water (just under boiling)
4–5 dried butterfly pea flowers (or 1 tsp of loose flowers)
Optional: lemon juice, honey, mint, ice

Instructions:

Steep the flowers in hot water for 5–10 minutes until the tea turns a rich blue.
Strain the tea to remove flowers.
Add lemon juice—just a few drops—to watch the color change.
Sweeten with honey or syrup if desired.
Serve hot or pour over ice for a cool version.

Tip: Take a photo before and after you add lemon—this is Instagram gold!

Where to Buy Butterfly Pea Flowers

You can find dried butterfly pea flowers at:

Asian grocery stores
Online marketplaces (Amazon, Etsy, local herbal stores)
Specialty tea shops (look for organic options)

Make sure they’re labeled food-grade and free of additives.

Creative Ways to Use It

Butterfly Pea Latte: Combine with frothed milk (dairy or plant-based) for a dreamy layered drink.
Cocktails/Mocktails: Mix with gin or lemonade for color-changing drinks.
Rice or Desserts: Use the brewed tea to naturally dye sticky rice or jellies blue/purple.

Final Thoughts

Butterfly Pea Tea is more than just a beautiful drink—it’s a fun, natural, and health-conscious way to enjoy a bit of Southeast Asian tradition at home.

If you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend brewing your own cup and experiencing the magic firsthand. And if you do—share a photo and tag us! We'd love to see your color-changing creations.

Tags: THAILAND

Date: 2025-07-05

Author: Beti – A passionate traveler and lover of Asian cuisine, especially Thai and Japanese dishes, Bernadeta brings her culinary and cultural experiences to life in her writing. Beyond her travels, she’s an avid technology enthusiast with a deep interest in data processing, merging her love for exploration with analytical insights.

Photographer: Adalbert – An aficionado of computers and photography, Adalbert captures the essence of diverse cuisines with a discerning eye. A connoisseur of rich flavors and particularly fond of meat-based dishes, he combines his technical skills with his passion for the culinary arts in every shot.

EAT IN ASIA / Lifestyle / Recipes