You may know of butterfly pea flower as a magical tea to use for colour-changing lemonade, but did you know it can also be used to make a stunning blue latte? This is the latte to reach for when you’re craving something different, fun and picture-worthy. Butterfly Pea Flower is a visually appealing herbal tea, but I always feel it is missing something because it doesn’t taste like much on its own. My not-so secret to a good butterfly pea flower tea latte is adding a splash of vanilla. Since the flavour of this herbal tea is very subtle, a small amount of this ingredient enhances it. This caffeine-free latte is vibrant blue with a mild, earthy flavour and warm vanilla notes.
All About Butterfly Pea Flower
Made from the whole flowers of the clitoria ternatea plant, Butterfly Pea Flower is an herbal tea as it is naturally caffeine-free and doesn’t come from the tea plant. Instead, the plant is native to Thailand, Malaysia and can be found in other parts of Southeast Asia.
Butterfly Pea Flower Tea produces a vibrant blue liquor. The colour comes from anthocyanins, which are a group of bioactive pigments naturally found in certain plants. This magical flower is used in ayurvedic medicine and as a natural, edible dye for food and drinks.
What makes this a magical tea is when a splash of an acidic base fruit like lemon or lime is added as it will change the colour to purple. This is because the acidity will alter the pH level.
The natural colouring contains antioxidant rich compounds that may provide health benefits like anti-aging, enhanced memory and brain function, and anti-inflammatory properties.
What is butterfly pea flower powder?
After the butterfly pea flowers are harvested and dried for tea they can also be milled into a fine powder to create butterfly pea flower powder.
The powder is a very easy way to add a beautiful blue colour to recipes like lattes, smoothies, cookies, cakes and cocktails. This natural food colouring lets you avoid adding artificial ingredients to your recipes.
This tea powder can sometimes be labeled as “blue matcha” because of its form. However, it is very different from true matcha. The taste and health benefits are not the same.
How do you drink butterfly pea flower powder?
To make a hot tea, simply add 1 teaspoon of this blue tea powder to 6-8 ounces of freshly boiled water and whisk, blend or shake until smooth. If desired, sweeten before enjoying.
Similar steps are taken to make a hot butterfly pea latte. However, less water is used so the butterfly pea flower base is stronger. This is important because the flavour will come through better after adding milk.
Where to Buy Butterfly Pea Flower Powder
Organic Blue Butterfly Pea Powder from Orgnisulmte
Blue Butterfly Pea Flower Powder, also known as Blue Matcha, is made from the petals of a super flower indigenous to Thailand. This Butterfly Pea Flower Powder can be enjoyed with confidence knowing that it is 100% pure, GMO free, with no preservatives or added sugars.
Butterfly Pea Flower Powder from Ancient Choice
Butterfly pea flowers are picked by hand and immediately sun dried before carefully milling them into a fine powder. There are no additives of chemicals added along the way with this butterfly pea flower tea powder.
Blue Ninja from Matcha Ninja
Blue Ninja (often called blue matcha) is a blue powder made from 100% butterfly pea flowers sourced from wild harvested flowers in Thailand. Blue Ninja has a smooth subtle flavour and is great for making blue drinks, smoothies, and juices naturally!
Don’t worry — if you don’t have access to butterfly pea flower powder you can make this blue latte with the dried flowers instead. I have provided instructions for both in the recipe.
For another caffeine-free latte, try:
For another butterfly pea tea recipe, try:
Easy Butterfly Pea Flower Latte Recipe
A butterfly pea flower tea latte may also be referred to as a Blue Tea Latte, Mermaid Latte or a Cloud Latte because of the blue and white colours.
Here is what you will need:
1 teaspoon butterfly pea flower powder (or 2 teaspoons dried butterfly pea flowers)
½ cup hot water
1 tablespoon sweetener of choice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup milk of choice
Directions:
In a mug or bowl, add butterfly pea flower powder. Pour hot water and whisk together until there are no clumps.
Butterfly pea flower powder can be whisked similar to matcha, with a bamboo whisk, or with an electric frother. If you are using a bamboo whisk, preparing this tea powder in a bowl would be easier than a mug since there is more space.
If using butterfly pea flower leaves instead, place in an infuser mug and steep in hot water for 5 minutes before straining or removing leaves.
Stir vanilla extract and sweetener of choice in the serving mug with the butterfly pea flower tea. I recommend serving this butterfly pea flower latte in a glass mug so you can easily admire the colour.
Heat and froth milk of your choice until almost double in volume. Top the mug of tea with the frothed milk.
Before taking a sip, watch as the milk blends in with the beautiful blue tea. This part is mesmerizing! Enjoy 🙂
Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon butterfly pea flower powder or 2 teaspoons dried butterfly pea flowers
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 tablespoon sweetener of choice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup milk of choice
Instructions
- 1. In a mug or bowl, add butterfly pea flower powder. Pour hot water and whisk together until there are no clumps. Butterfly pea flower powder can be whisked similar to matcha, with a bamboo whisk, or with an electric frother. If you are using a bamboo whisk, preparing this tea powder in a bowl would be easier than a mug since there is more space. If using dried butterfly pea flower instead, place in an infuser mug and steep in hot water for 5 minutes before straining or removing leaves.
- 2. Stir vanilla extract and sweetener of choice in the serving mug with the butterfly pea flower tea. I recommend serving this butterfly pea flower latte in a glass mug so you can easily admire the colour.
- 3. Heat and froth milk of your choice until almost double in volume. Top the mug of tea with the frothed milk.
- 4. Before taking a sip, watch as the milk blends in with the beautiful blue tea. This part is mesmerizing! Enjoy.
Want to make this Butterfly Pea Flower Tea Latte later? Pin the recipe here –> http://bit.ly/3wtI2vp
Have you tried this fun blue tea latte before? Let me know in the comments!
Add a tiny bit of lemon and watch it turn violet…but unfortunately, it always tastes rather ‘pea-ish’ to me.
‘
This drink looks amazing! I love the color, and it looks easy to make as well!
If I make this sometime, I will have to let everyone know it’s from your site. Thanks for this recipe.