Butterfly Pea Flower (Clitoria ternatea)

Cut and sifted dried flowers of Clitoria ternatea, Butterfly Pea, a climbing legume native to Southeast Asia. The flowers produce one of the most visually striking herbal teas in the world: a vivid deep blue that changes to purple, then pink, with the addition of an acid like lemon juice.

Key Facts

Botanical name

Clitoria ternatea

Family

Fabaceae (legume family)

Native region

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India)

Common names

Butterfly Pea, Blue Pea, Cordofan Pea, Anchan (Thai)

Color compounds

Ternatins (anthocyanin-class pigments)

Color behavior

Deep blue in neutral water; turns purple/pink with acid; turns green with alkaline pH

What is Butterfly Pea?

Butterfly Pea is a climbing perennial legume with strikingly blue flowers, native to tropical equatorial Asia. The plant has been used for centuries across Southeast Asian cuisines as a natural food coloring (notably in Thai and Malay rice dishes and desserts) and as a tea. The vibrant blue color comes from ternatins, a class of anthocyanin pigments that shift hue based on pH - making the tea a popular novelty among modern beverage enthusiasts.

How to Use Butterfly Pea

For tea: steep 1 teaspoon of dried flowers per 8 oz cup in hot water for 5 minutes, then strain. The tea is naturally deep blue. Add a slice of lemon or lime to watch the color shift to purple and then to pink as the acid lowers the pH. For natural food coloring: brew a concentrated infusion and use in rice, cocktails, syrups, or desserts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the tea change color?
The anthocyanin pigments in Butterfly Pea (ternatins) change color based on pH. Acid turns it from blue to purple to pink; alkaline turns it green.

What does it taste like?
Very mild, slightly earthy, almost like green tea but caffeine-free. The visual is the main feature; the flavor is gentle.

Does Butterfly Pea have caffeine?
No; naturally caffeine-free.

What dishes use Butterfly Pea traditionally?
Thai nasi kerabu (blue rice), Malay desserts, blue-colored steamed cakes, and various Southeast Asian sweets.

Can I use it as natural food coloring?
Yes; brew a concentrated infusion and use as a natural blue dye for rice, cocktails, lemonades, or desserts.

Are there any benefits beyond color?
Traditional uses include daily wellness tea; modern research has explored the ternatins' antioxidant properties.

This product has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.