What is Butterfly Pea Flower Powder?

Butterfly Pea is an ancient Thai herbal plant.  Its flower has three different colors white, blue, and purple. Butterfly pea flower powder (Blue Matcha Powder) is one of the best natural blue pigments for beverages and food. It is made from dried flowers of Clitoria ternatea, which is also called blue pea, butterfly pea, Asian pigeonwings, bluebell vine, Kordofan pea, and Darwin pea.

     Butterfly pea pollen is native to Thailand and Malaysia and is found in other parts of Southeast Asia. These flowers are rich in anthocyanins, which are beneficial compounds. They have nootropic effects and may enhance memory, and brain function, and trigger vivid dreams. The powder is produced through a special evaporative extraction process, resulting in a soluble form that can be easily dissolved in a variety of cafe and bartender drinks.

The butterfly pea flower powder is water soluble and it is free of calories, fat, and sugar. The blue color is from the main ingredient anthocyanin. PH value can change the butterfly pea flower powder color in the solution. When the solution is acidic, the color will change to purple, or even red; when the solution is alkaline, the color will be green.

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Benefits And Applications

Butterfly Pea Flower Powder Benefits:

1. Rich in beneficial compounds

Robinette says butterfly pea pollen is rich in antioxidants. These compounds help fight damage caused by free radicals, such as skin inflammation and signs of aging. It’s particularly high in anthocyanins, an antioxidant also found in blueberries and red wine that’s known for its anti-inflammatory properties and heart-healthy benefits.

2. Potential cognitive benefits

Robinett notes that blue butterfly pea pollen is a natural nootropic that has the potential to enhance cognitive function. A 2015 review suggested that butterfly pea flowers may improve learning and memory abilities, but more clinical human trials are needed to draw firm conclusions.

3. Benefits for skin

Freeze-dried blue butterfly pea pollen is popular as a refreshing spa drink, especially in Thailand, because of its beauty benefits due to its rich antioxidant content. Some studies show it can be effective in treating eye wrinkles and reducing redness and irritation.

4. Color-changing properties

One of the most fascinating aspects of butterfly pea pollen is its ability to change color depending on pH. For example, adding lemon juice will turn the drink purple, while other ingredients will turn the drink red. This vibrant hue and versatility make it a great natural food coloring option. Robinette hopes that plant compounds will replace chemical colorants and emphasize the natural beauty of plants.

Butterfly Pea Flower Powder Applications:

A. In Southeast Asia, butterfly pea pollen is often used as a natural food coloring.

B. In Malay cuisine, the aqueous extract of the flower is used to color glutinous rice such as kuih ketan (also known as pulut tai tai or pulut tekan in Peranakan/Nyonya cooking) and Nyonya chang.

C. In the eastern Malaysian state of Kelantan, adding a few buds of this flower to a pot of boiled white rice will give the rice a blue color, and then eat it with various side dishes, called nasi kerabu.

D. In Thailand, a blue syrupy drink called nam dok anchan is made from the flower. It is sometimes served with a drop of sweet lime juice, which adds acidity and turns the drink a pinkish-purple color.

E. In Burmese and Thai cuisine, blue butterfly pea flowers are also dipped in batter and fried.

F. Butterfly Pea Flower Tea, made from cornflowers and dried lemongrass, changes color depending on what is added to the liquid, with lemon juice turning it purple.