Cooking With Blue Butterfly Pea Flower
The Aparajita flower has a paramount place in Indian mythology and Ayurveda. It also secures its position as an exotic ingredient in the culinary space. From soothing tea to sticky rice or addictive desserts, this flower has been widely infused in food and drinks worldwide. Its English name is Butterfly pea, Asian pigeon wings, Darwin pea and Cordofan pea. While the most common variant is blue, you may also find white-coloured ones. Contrary to the chemicals-laden food colours, the blue butterfly pea flower adds a natural indigo hue. The food or drink also gets infused with its numerous health benefits.
| Ranita Ray
Nov 03, 2022
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Calming Tea
You must include butterfly pea flower tea in your list of herbal teas. This potent flower is distinctive and can turn into a mellow floral tea. One can use the entire flowerheads, or alternately a blend of this flower with other ingredients like lavender, purple leaf tea, hibiscus, and lemon can make for a perfect evening cup of brew. It is 100 % caffeine-free.
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Nam Dok Anchan
It is a popular drink in Vietnam and Thailand using butterfly pea flower tea. To make this, the flower is mixed with sugar and lemon juice. The concoction has a vivid purple hue and can be consumed both as a hot or cold drink. At times to aromatise further, an extra dose of fresh mint leaves, grated ginger and cinnamon powder go into it.
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Smoothie Bowl
Making a wholesome smoothie bowl with blue butterfly pea flowers is a healthy way to start your day. Blend or purée until smooth 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tbsp chia seeds, and 1½ tsptsp blue butterfly pea flower powder in a food processor. Scoop into a bowl and top with more fruits and toppings, such as shredded coconut, a half-banana cut into pieces, and fresh blackberries.
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Nasi Kerabu
The power of the butterfly pea flower is seen in several rice-based dishes. Nasi Kerabu, a variation of Nasi Ulam from Malaysia, is a testament to it. To make this rice delicacy, the petals of fresh Clitoria ternatea are used, and the blue-hued dish gets the colour naturally. This exotic culinary fare is served with dried fish or fried chicken, crackers, pickles, and other salads.
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Desserts
These days, many bakers worldwide are using this natural colouring agent to make various baked desserts. From cakes, cupcakes, muffins, and puddings to cheesecakes, the benefits of butterfly pea flowers are suffused into sweetmeats.
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