Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade Refresher
Butterfly Pea Flower Lemonade Refresher
Recently, I had so much fun making these fancy drinks for a group of ladies in my garden. The change in color is amazing and it tastes wonderful on a hot day. Make these when you want someone to feel just a little bit “special”.
First, make your butterfly pea flower tea. Use 1/3 cup powder or 2/3 cup flowers in a quart jar of hot water and let it sit overnight. Strain, sweeten with liquid stevia. In a clear glass, place 4 ice cubes, one slice of lemon, and about 6 blueberries for garnish. Pour in your cold lemonaide, leaving room at the top. Pour in about ¼ cup of the deep blue butterfly tea, and watch as it turns a lovely purple when it hits the lemon. The purple will linger at the top of the glass, giving it a beautiful look. Serve immediately and enjoy! Makes 10-12 glasses.
Here are a few facts about -
Butterfly Pea Flower – Clitoria ternatea, is from southeast Asia. Known as the “Tea of Transformation”, it changes color when in contact with an acid, like lemon. The tea is a deep blue color, but then changes to purple or lavender.
Medicinal qualities are many: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, regulates blood sugar, brain-boosting, enhances memory, calming – reduces stress, promotes collagen production, protects eyes from oxidative stress, antimicrobial, antiviral, alleviates nausea, prevents cancer cell growth.
Butterfly pea flower slows down aging of the skin and is helpful for skin irritation, itching, or allergies. Wonderfully fun when applied as a hair mask: it increases blood flow to the scalp, prevents premature graying, and reduces dandruff.
Boosting to the immune system, it may help with colds, coughs, asthma, and allergies. It inhibits glucose intake and slows the formation of fat cells, so is beneficial in weight management.
It is helpful for women with menstruation problems or vaginal discharge. The roots are worn around the wrist by pregnant women in India to help to deliver their babies safely. Butterfly pea flower is a potent aphrodisiac and increases sperm production.