Butterfly Pea Flowers
Butterfly Pea Flowers, also known as "blue pea" or "Asian pigeonwings," are a striking blue-purple flower that grows in Southeast Asia. The flowers are mainly used to color food and beverages, as their bright blue color can be extracted into liquid when soaked.
Suggested uses
Basic prep
Storage & handling
Store in a dry, cool place.
Ingredients
Butterfly pea flowers
Butterfly Pea Flowers are a plant species belonging to the Fabaceae family. It has a shape similar to an orchid with a striking blue-purple color. The plant itself is a vine or a creeper that also yields small peas that are edible when they are young.
In the culinary world, butterfly pea flowers are mainly used to color food and beverages, as the flower's bright blue color comes out into liquid when soaked. When the liquid is mixed with an acidic ingredient, such as lime or lemon juice, it transforms into a shade of royal purple.
In traditional Chinese medicine as well as traditional Ayurvedic medicine, butterfly pea flowers have been used to treat a variety of ailments.
Classic recipe
Butterfly Pea Flower Iced Tea
Butterfly pea flowers are typically used to color food and beverages, as their bright blue color comes out when soaked. However, when the liquid is mixed with an acidic ingredient such as lime or lemon juice, it transforms into a beautiful shade of royal purple. Enjoy the striking hue of this summery iced tea garnished with a slice of lemon.
