Been wanting to write about this since last year, why didn't I? Good questions!
I started to grow Butterfly Pea when one day, a friend of mine gave me some seeds and told me, "Plant this, you gonna love it!", and I did, well she was right, I loved it! Until today for almost 2 years, it had blossomed, and grown even more, none stop.
At first, I just like the colour of the flower, but I know they are edible greens and there are many usage and benefits of Butterfly Pea Flowers in general. The colour of the flower can be used to make a lot of BLUE Foods and Drinks.
I also found out there are Butterfly Pea Flowers in WHITE colour! The same friend found some seeds and gave it to me, but I have not planted it yet, I shall wait until March when it is more of raining season, to prevent it from dying out of the heat.
There are times it produced too much flower I will try to give them to as many family and friends as I can, educating them the benefits of it and spread the Love!
Foods:
Sometimes I ate it raw and it's crunchy like lettuce. The fresh/raw flowers are also eaten as vegetables or garnish in garden salads. Others you can use it to cook Blue Rice (traditional Kelantan Nasi Kerabu), make Blue Jelly or Famous Nyonya kuih (desserts) like Pulut Tai Tai (Blue Glutinous Rice Cake), Kuih Salat, Kuih Lapis (Steamed Layered Cake) to name a few...
I didn't have any photos in my library, so here are some images from others to show how they actually look like.
Drinks:
How I make my butterfly pea tea is by adding hot water to a handful of flowers (fresh or dried), cover for few minutes, the water will turn to blue. The tea is earthy taste, similar to green tea or Chinese tea, so you can add in lemon juice and sugar or honey for taste. Served hot or over ice.
I try to drink regularly to see if I can benefit from it, will keep you guys updated!
Fun facts: Due to the pH level, the colour blue will change if added acidity such as lemon juice, so don't be surprised it your drink turn to purple.
Though it's not common to see or buy them in the market, and like herbs, they can be grown and sun-dried for long keeping. I have a whole can of dried Butterfly Pea flowers store in a cold dry place ready to be used.
Now let's talk a bit about Why you should have this drink daily.
Health Benefits:
According to a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, butterfly pea is highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine and has been used for centuries as a memory enhancer, nootropic, antistress, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, tranquillizing and sedative agent.
Antioxidants.
Butterfly Pea Tea contains plenty of potent antioxidants. The potent antioxidants help your body lower risk of infections and are great for your heart health. Studied also show its ability to fight premature signs of ageing, glycation, which is protein damage caused by excess sugar in the body.
Anti-inflammatory.
Studies from the International Research Journal Of Pharmacy says, the tea is strong enough to fight with all its abilities against internal inflammation. The flowers contain flavonoids, which increase collagen origination, accelerating skin elasticity. It is also good for your hair as it contains anthocyanin, which increases blood flow in the scalp, strengthening hair follicles.
Anti-diabetic:
Drinking of this tea will inhibit the intake of glucose and lower the blood sugar which is prone to diabetics.
Anxiolyhic:
According to studies, blue tea can relieve stress and lower symptoms of anxiety disorder.
Contains Cyclotides:
Cyclotides are peptides that help fight the onslaught of free radicals. If free radicals are left unchecked, they could bring tumors and cancer cells into the body.
Also help with other issues, such as:
Improve eye issues, helps fight against cancers, enhance the performance of the brain and memory at large, and provides enough support to the immune system.
I might miss out a lot of information, feel free to add in anytime!
Have yourself a cup of butterfly pea drink to have fun with the colour changing and to stay healthy!
These are all from my garden, they are so beautiful!
All health information credit to below links:
https://www.fashionlady.in/surprisingly-amazing-benefits-of-butterfly-pea-tea/121906
https://www.majesticherbs.com/clitoria-ternatea-blue-butterfly-pea-flowers-benefits/
https://articles.mercola.com/teas/butterfly-pea-tea.aspx
Thank you for stopping by, this is a place where I can share the things I enjoy in life, art, gardening, nature, foods. This is why my divider above are filled with all the different kind of icons that I love doing. I hope you enjoy my post so far, leave me a comment if you like.
