Butterfly pea blues: Taiwan officials warn against consumption of plant but permit colouring use (2024)

FAQs

What is the warning for blue butterfly pea? ›

Butterfly pea flower is generally considered safe when used in moderation. Although there is no research on its side effects, some people have reported issues like nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

Butterfly Pea Flower Extract has received FDA approval as a color additive. This novel natural blue source is exceptionally heat stable and provides formulators with a beautiful denim blue shade for their library.

To make an extract of butterfly pea flower for food colouring, steep about a dozen fresh or dried flowers in a cup of boiling water. After about 15 minutes, strain the liquid and discard the flowers. The deep blue water is then ready to be used as blue food colouring.

Butterfly pea flowers contain a super bright blue pigment called anthocyanin. The flowers have a very earthy, woody smell in their natural state, but really don't taste like much in the tea. The anthocyanin in the tea acts as a base indicator, which means it will change color as the pH level changes.

Yes, butterfly pea flower is poisonous. The seeds and roots of the plant are especialy dangerous, and can cause diarrhea and nausea.

Besides, butterfly pea flower also helps to eliminate toxins in the liver and in the body. Preventing and supporting cancer treatment: Butterfly pea flower contains many antioxidants, so it has the ability to eliminate free radicals and prevent cancer.

Butterfly Pea Flower Extract has received FDA approval as a color additive. This novel natural blue source is exceptionally heat stable and provides formulators with a beautiful denim blue shade for their library.

Lowers blood pressure: Consumption of butterfly pea flower tea can help reduce blood pressure. Individuals with elevated blood pressure (hypertension) could consume this. Improves skin health: Blue butterfly pea is rich in antioxidants.

The main side effects include upset stomach and nausea as well as allergic reactions. As with most herbal teas, butterfly pea flower tea may interact with certain medications. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before consuming the tea is you have a medical condition or are taking any medications.

The butterfly pea flower contains antioxidants such as proanthocyanidin, which promotes collagen growth and the elasticity of the skin. This plant also promotes brain function and memory by the Acetylcholine it contains.

Can butterfly pea flower be used as dye? ›

Originating from Southeast Asia and Africa, butterfly pea is commonly used in Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The colorful flowers, deep lavender blue to violet, are often dried and used as a food dye. Most commonly, butterfly pea dye is used to tint rice both in savory and dessert dishes.

Butterfly pea tea is a rare tea that changes color when ingredients are added to change its pH level. The tea alone features a brilliant blue color that can change to vibrant red or deep purple with a simple slice of lemon or a few hibiscus petals.

When it comes to the color-changing powers of the butterfly pea flower, acid is the name of the game. This plant turns hot water—with a pH between 4 and 8—into shades of blue that range from deep cobalt to mesmerizing azure.

However, once an acid such as a slice of lemon or lemon juice is added, tea changes colour because of an increase in acidity (reduction in pH) of the beverage itself. Lemon juice is quite strong as a food acid – a few drops are enough to alter the theaurbigins, resulting in a dramatic change in colour.

To make an extract of butterfly pea flower for food colouring, steep about a dozen fresh or dried flowers in a cup of boiling water. After about 15 minutes, strain the liquid and discard the flowers. The deep blue water is then ready to be used as blue food colouring.

People with sensitive digestion should be careful while consuming Pea flowers, particularly the first time. People with allergies should consult a physician before trying it for the first time. Pregnant and nursing women, too, must consult their physician before consuming butterfly tea powder.

So far, there have been no reported side effects of butterfly pea flower tea. There are concerns about nausea and diarrhea, but not everyone experiences them. People with allergies or sensitive digestion should be cautious when drinking this tea for the first time.

South Korea has cracked down on the use of butterfly pea flowers in foods and beverages, stating that consumption of the colourant is unsafe due to a lack of food safety data.

Supports collagen structure

In some studies, butterfly pea flower extract has been found to assist with collagen support.

Uplifts Mood. The earthy flavour of butterfly-pea flower tea is said to be a mood enhancer. The tea is said to have stress-busting effects that may also help reduce symptoms of anxiety.

What does butterfly pea do for hair? ›

Butterfly Pea extract boosts hair growth as it contains a potent bioflavonoid, anthocyanin, which increases blood flow in the scalp, strengthening hair follicles. It is considered one of nature's most effective ingredient for promoting hair growth and darkening hair naturally.

Yes. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, all color additives and new uses for listed color additives must be approved by the FDA before they may be used in foods.

There are nine certified color additives approved for use in the United States (e.g., FD&C Yellow No. 6. See chart for complete list.). Certified food colors generally do not add undesirable flavors to foods.

Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels

Butterfly Pea flower has also been shown to be excellent at stabilizing blood sugar levels through its ability to inhibit glucose intake. Reports show this flower being able to protect against cell damage and diabetes.

Promotes heart health

Animal studies suggest that butterfly pea flower extract may lower blood pressure through its vasorelaxation properties — meaning that it helps widen your blood vessels to enhance blood flow ( 7 , 9 ). In addition, it boasts antithrombotic effects.

Green peas contain a decent amount of heart-healthy minerals, such as magnesium, potassium and calcium. Diets high in these nutrients may be helpful for preventing high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease ( 19 , 20 , 21 ).

Drinking 1 cup of blue pea tea every day can help eliminate undigested food particles from the system, which will result in brightening dull skin, removing dark spots, and uneven skin tone.

As for skin the flavonoids present in the Butterfly Pea flower help stimulate collagen production protecting your skin and making it healthier in the process. Finally, for mood Butterfly Pea flower offers stress-busting effects that can improve mood and help in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Weight Loss And Other Benefits Of Blue Tea. Blue tea contains catechins, which are said to be instrumental in burning belly fat and aiding weight loss. Drinking butterfly-pea flowers seeped in warm water is said to be an effective way to rev up the metabolism, which in turn, makes the body burn more calories.

Next to being used and served as ice-tea, butterfly pea is also used in a lot in co*cktails due to its natural psychedelic colouring properties.

What parts of butterfly pea are edible? ›

The flowers, leaves, young shoots and tender pods are all edible and commonly consumed, and the leaves can also be used as a green colorant (Mukherjee et al., 2008).

Butterfly pea flowers can be eaten raw, as well as brewed into an herbal tea. Aside from being beautiful, butterfly pea flowers also have several health benefits.

Q: Will butterfly pea flower tea stain my teeth? A:No, it will not.

Butterfly Pea Flower Powder, 1 Pound — Non-GMO Verified, Pure, Raw, Vegan, Kosher, Ceremonial, Culinary, Blue Matcha is Great for Tea, Juices, Smoothies, Shakes, Drinks, and Food Coloring, Bulk.

Being rich in bioflavonoids, butterfly pea can promote hair growth and reduce hair graying. Consuming this beautiful flower powder is equally good for memory enhancement, as an anti-stress, anxiolytic, and antidepressant. Even a few sips of butterfly pea powder tea have soothing properties.

Why does blue tea change colour? Naturally blue tea brews into a bright blue colour but when other ingredients are added to it, it can magically change colour before your very eyes! This is because the additional ingredients change the pH balance of the blue tea, causing a colour change.

The main phenolic compounds present in butterfly pea flowers are ternatin, kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin [19].

One of the reasons butterfly pea flower tea is traditionally consumed in the evening is because it promotes relaxation. Enjoying a cup of it (which is naturally caffeine-free) can help you to feel less stressed and may also help you to fall asleep.

Butterfly pea flowers don't really have much of a taste. If anything, they're much like a very light green tea and taste only slightly vegetal. In general, butterfly pea flowers are added to different tea blends and citrus drinks and aren't typically brewed on their own.

One of the most distinctive characteristics of butterfly pea flower tea, and other drinks that use butterfly pea flower extract, is that it will change color when the pH balance changes. A deep blue tea will turn purple with the addition of lemon juice, turning a deeper shade of purple the more lemon juice is added.

What does butterfly tea taste like? ›

The flavor is rather like the water in which green beans have been boiled. You can completely uplift the flavor of this earthy tea by adding lemongrass, which is the perfect match for butterfly pea flowers. Lemongrass doesn't interfere with the beautiful blue color of the tea, and it adds a lemony flavor.

The indicator solution contains molecules called pigment molecules that give it its color. In plain water, these pigment molecules give the water a blue color. But when acid in the lemon juice gets in the water a reaction makes the indicator molecule change so the color looks pink.

Flavanols are converted to theaflavins and thearubigins during oxidation. They are the compounds responsible for the dark color and robust flavors that are present in oxidized teas. Flavonols, flavones, isoflavones and anthocyanins are thought to contribute to the color of a tea's infusion and its taste.

Lemon tea is a low-sugar, low-calorie way to add a range of vitamins and minerals to your diet. Grating lemon zest into your tea also adds the peel's limonene. This antioxidant, found in fruit peels, may lower your risk of cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and other chronic diseases.

According to research, the butterfly pea seed has 12% oil composition. This substance is not recommended because it can cause poisoning when accidentally swallowed. Therefore, using butterfly peas to eat will affect health, especially for young children and people with poor resistance.

When you mix the butterfly pea flower tea in hot water, you get a deep blue color, but when you add different ingredients like lemon or hibiscus, it can change the presentation to other bright colors like fuchsia or a bright red. The change occurs because of the change in PH levels.

Red cabbage is the most common natural blue food coloring here in the States. Cooked red cabbage leaves will eventually turn bluish purple if soaked in a slightly basic solution. To make a blue food dye, slice up red cabbage leaves and boil for 10-15 minutes.

The body and its internal organs need to be cleansed, and this is why it is important to have a cup of butterfly pea flower tea every day. It cleanses the liver, the kidneys, the intestines and also the stomach.

The flowers, leaves, young shoots and tender pods are all edible and commonly consumed, and the leaves can also be used as a green colorant (Mukherjee et al., 2008).

Lowers blood pressure: Consumption of butterfly pea flower tea can help reduce blood pressure. Individuals with elevated blood pressure (hypertension) could consume this. Improves skin health: Blue butterfly pea is rich in antioxidants.

Does butterfly pea tea stain your teeth? ›

Even though butterfly pea tea is vividly colored it will not stain your teeth.

Potential side effects

There are currently no reported side effects from drinking blue tea. That said, some anecdotal evidence claims it may cause nausea, stomach ache, and diarrhea if consumed in large amounts. When consumed in moderation, blue tea is generally considered safe.

South Korea has cracked down on the use of butterfly pea flowers in foods and beverages, stating that consumption of the colourant is unsafe due to a lack of food safety data.

The flavor is rather like the water in which green beans have been boiled. You can completely uplift the flavor of this earthy tea by adding lemongrass, which is the perfect match for butterfly pea flowers.

Butterfly Pea Flower is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and is considered a superfood. It offers amazing benefits for your stomach, mood, and skin. Given that it's rich in antioxidants, drinking Butterfly Pea Flower can help flush out toxins from your system and boost digestive health.