What Is Butterfly Pea Flower Tea (Dried)? Applications, Dosage, Alternatives & Specifications

Butterfly Pea Flower Powder, also known as Blue Butterfly Pea Powder, Butterfly Pea Pure Powder, and Butterfly Pea Powder, is a natural plant powder processed from the dried flower buds of Clitoria ternatea L., a plant of the Fabaceae family, through ultrafine grinding or water extraction and drying processes. It is a multifunctional ingredient with both coloring and nutritional benefits. Butterfly pea originates from Latin America and is a typical tropical vine that blooms year-round. It is widely distributed in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, India, Vietnam, and Malaysia, with limited distribution in Xishuangbanna, China. Butterfly pea is named for its butterfly-like bright blue flowers. Its English name is “Butterfly Pea,” its Thai name is “Dok Anchan,” and its other names include Blue Butterfly, Blue Flower Pea, Butterfly Flower Pea, and Dou Bi. The core advantage of butterfly pea flower powder lies in its extremely high natural anthocyanin content — 10 times that of ordinary plants, reaching 1500–2000 mg per 100 grams. These anthocyanins are primarily delphinidin and ternatins, giving the powder its signature bright blue color. Most uniquely, butterfly pea flower powder exhibits pH-responsive color-changing properties: it appears blue under alkaline conditions, turns from blue to purple under acidic conditions (pH<7), and can even turn pink or red under stronger acidic conditions. Adding acidic substances like lemon juice can instantly transform blue beverages into purple or pink, creating unique visual effects for product innovation. Butterfly pea flower powder is not only a natural colorant but also rich in various nutrients. Per 100 grams, it contains: 300–350 kcal calories, 20–25 grams of dietary fiber, 30–50 mg of vitamin C, 5–8 mg of iron, 200–300 mg of calcium, and 10–15 grams of protein. In addition, it contains abundant bioactive components such as vitamin A, vitamin E, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. In traditional medicine, butterfly pea is used in Southeast Asia as a traditional herb with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-hyperglycemic pharmacological activities. Modern research has demonstrated that butterfly pea flower powder has various health benefits including antioxidant, immune-enhancing, vision protection, promoting skin elasticity and collagen production, and improving cognitive function.

The main active components of butterfly pea flower powder are shown in the table below: Component Category

Anthocyanins: Butterfly pea flower powder contains anthocyanins as high as 1500–2000 mg/100g, 10 times that of ordinary plants, primarily delphinidin and ternatins. The antioxidant capacity of anthocyanins is approximately 1.5 times that of vitamin C, effectively scavenging free radicals and slowing oxidative cellular damage. Medically, anthocyanins can protect eyesight, control blood sugar, help scavenge free radicals, enhance the immune system, fight cancer, and prevent hypertension. Anthocyanins also help the retina produce more rhodopsin, thereby improving night vision and relieving symptoms such as dry eyes and blurred vision caused by prolonged screen exposure.