Butterfly Pea Flower

Botanical Profile

Common Name: Butterfly Pea Flower
Botanical Name: Clitoria ternatea
Also Known As: Butterfly Pea, Blue Pea, Asian Pigeonwings
Family: Fabaceae (Pea family)
Part Used: Flower
Form: Organic, Whole Flowers
Origin: India

Butterfly Pea is a climbing plant in the pea family, recognized for its distinctive blue flowers. People have used the flowers in traditional culinary and beverage preparations across parts of Southeast Asia, especially for their naturally vivid blue color.

Appearance

Organic Butterfly Pea Flowers are whole, dried blossoms in rich blue to blue-violet hues. Their delicate shape and intense natural coloring make them particularly beautiful in herbal tea blends and botanical preparations.

Aroma & Flavor

Flavor Profile

Mildly Floral • Earthy • Delicate • Slightly Nutty

Butterfly Pea Flower has a subtle flavor that allows its beautiful natural color to take center stage. The resulting infusion is generally mild and pleasantly earthy with delicate floral and nutty notes.

Traditional & Culinary Use

Butterfly Pea Flowers have a long history of use as a culinary botanical and natural coloring ingredient, particularly in Southeast Asian food and beverage traditions.

People commonly prepare the flowers as an herbal infusion, producing a naturally deep blue tea. When you add an acidic ingredient such as lemon or lime, the color can shift from blue to shades of purple or pink, making butterfly pea especially popular for creative beverages and tea blends.

You can also incorporate the flowers into culinary preparations where their natural color is desired.

Preparation & Use

Herbal Infusion

Add approximately 1–2 teaspoons of dried Butterfly Pea Flowers per 8 ounces of hot water.

1. Place the flowers in a cup or teapot.
2. Pour freshly boiled water over the flowers.
3. Cover and steep for approximately 5–10 minutes.
4. Strain and enjoy warm or chilled.

For a beautiful color-changing infusion, add a small amount of lemon or lime juice after steeping.

You can also blend Butterfly Pea Flowers with other herbs, flowers, and teas to create colorful botanical infusions.

Apothecary Inspiration

Butterfly Pea Flower brings natural color and botanical wonder to the apothecary. Its brilliant blue infusion makes it especially lovely for intentional tea rituals, seasonal beverages, creative botanical blends, and moments when you want to bring a little beauty into the everyday.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep the package tightly sealed when not in use. Use clean, dry utensils to handle the dried flowers and help preserve their natural color and quality.

Safety

For culinary and traditional herbal use. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Avoid use if you have a known sensitivity or allergy to plants in the Fabaceae (pea/legume) family.

If you are pregnant or nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbs internally.

Keep herbs out of reach of children.