Butterfly Pea Flowers

Adding Magic to Your Holiday Entertaining

Ah, the holidays. Remarkable, sparkling, glistening, hustle, bustle, loved ones wishing, and hopefully, a few enchanting memories to go with it all. For those of us who set the table for all that sparkle and merriment, we usually spend most of November wondering how we'll pull it all off! Looking for a way to add a bit of magic to your holiday table this year? Here's an easy way to slip a few Oohs and Ahs into your season.  

The much-loved Butterfly Pea Flower is a fantastic way to add wonder to your entertaining anytime this season and beyond since this tea actually turns colors in your cup! A regular brew of this tisane will give you a beautiful blue hue. Adding a drop of lime juice will turn the drink a deep pink, and a drip of lemon will change it from blue to perfect purple.  

It's magical and fun, but there's so much more to this delightful herb. Not an authentic tea, but instead an herbal tisane, the Butterfly Pea Flower is used in many ways and for many reasons. Potpourri's pop with the blue color.  It is used commercially as a dye for drinks, food, and textiles, and in cosmetics, including facial masks.  

The herb comes with enormous health benefits, too. In particular, the Butterfly Pea Flower may help to ensure skin and hair health, promote weight loss, and reduce blood sugar levels. Studies suggest it is rich in antioxidants, which may reduce inflammation and could prevent cancer cell growth. As always, use in moderation, and check with your doctor before adding anything to your diet if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

The Butterfly Pea Flower is caffeine-free, with a mild and earthy taste similar to chamomile. Used in cocktails and steeped for hot or cold brews, it mixes well with just about everything from citrus to milk and honey. For mealtime entertainment, brew beforehand, chill, and serve on ice in a clear glass with a sprig of mint. Make plenty, though, as your guests will undoubtedly want more.

Sipping alone after the entertaining is all over? Add a frothy milk decoration to the middle of your hot cup of Blue Pea Flower tea. Your cup will look like a dreamy, cloud-filled sky. Go ahead and drink it, though, and dream on. Your next magical season will come sooner than you think.

Have a wonderful holiday season this year!

This article first appeared in the Traveler Weekly Newspaper November, 2023