The Butterfly pea flower tea can best be described as a mood ring in a glass. Depending on the ingredients used, the drink will reveal a variety of vibrant colors. Starting as a dried bloom, it originates in Southeast Asia and has a withered bluish-gray tone. Just add water, however, and a deep cobalt color will emerge. Squeezing in some lemon will alter the look completely and display a rich violet drink, while adding roselle hibiscus flowers will turn it bright red.
Although this magical floral tea mesmerizes us with its color-shifting properties, the real question is: does it taste good? You might expect it to be sweet and syrupy–after all, it is the color of candy and novelty cocktails. It turns out that the opposite is true. The blue water offers earthy and woody flavors, similar to a fine green tea. According to tea expert Kathy Chan, “The Thai like it super sweet so they'll do it with some sort of citrus–lemon or lime is best–and palm sugar.”
What ginger or chamomile is to tea drinkers in the United States, the Butterfly pea flower has the same popularity in Southeast Asia. Often, it's enjoyed as an after-dinner nightcap or offered in hotels and spas as a welcome drink for guests.
If you're interested in trying this tea, the Sugar Elephant Cafe sells it in their Etsy shop.
Above: Butterfly pea flower tea mixed with water.
Above photo source: Siam Herbarium
Photo source: bon apptit
Photo source: Sugar Elephant Natural Cafe
When lemongrass is mixed with the Butterfly pea flower, this colorful combination emerges:
Photo source: bon apptit
Photo source: bon apptit
via [Design TAXI, bon apptit]
