Butterfly Pea Flower
$12.95
Description
Butterfly Pea Flower from Nelson's Tea features whole dried blossoms of Clitoria ternatea, a striking blue flower widely used across Southeast Asian kitchens. The petals bring a deep, vivid hue to recipes, drinks, and natural food coloring projects, making them a favorite pick for home cooks and beverage crafters alike.
The butterfly pea blossom is best known for its fascinating color-changing property. A splash of lemon or lime juice shifts the brilliant blue shade into a soft purple, creating visual magic in cocktails, mocktails, rice dishes, desserts, and other creative recipes throughout Thai and regional cuisine.
Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flower
- Acts as a natural food coloring, giving vibrant blue tones to rice, desserts, beverages, and craft recipes without synthetic dyes.
- Changes colour with pH, shifting from brilliant blue to rich purple when citrus is added for playful, eye-catching presentations.
- A traditional ingredient in Thai cuisine, adding visual depth to classic dishes, sweets, and homemade specialty preparations.
- Whole dried blossoms retain their shape and color, offering flexible use in infusions, cocktails, mocktails, and culinary recipes.
- Naturally caffeine-free, making the petals suitable for recipes enjoyed at any hour, including relaxing evening drink creations.
FAQs
What is a butterfly pea flower used for?
The blossoms serve as a natural food coloring in Thai cuisine, drinks, desserts, rice preparations, and creative culinary experiments at home.
Can butterfly pea flowers be brewed into tea?
Yes, dried petals steep well in hot water, giving a deep blue liquid that works hot or chilled in many recipes.
Why does the color change with lemon?
The flower contains natural pigments that respond to pH changes, turning from a vivid blue to a soft purple when citrus is added.
Does the butterfly pea flower have caffeine?
No, the blossoms are naturally caffeine-free, making them suitable for morning, afternoon, or late-evening recipes without any stimulant effect.
How should butterfly pea flowers be stored?
Keep the dried petals in an airtight container, away from heat, sunlight, and moisture, to preserve color and freshness.
