02/11/2020
BUTTERFY PEA
Clitoria ternatea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as Asian pigeonwings,[1] bluebellvine, blue pea, butterfly pea, cordofan pea and Darwin pea,[2] is a plant species belonging to the family Fabaceae
In Southeast Asia, the flower is used as a natural food colouring to colour glutinous rice. In Kelantan, in the north-east of peninsular Malaysia, it is an important ingredient in nasi kerabu, giving it its characteristic bluish colour. In Burmese and Thai cuisines, the flowers are also dipped in batter and fried.
Butterfly pea flower tea is made from the ternatea flowers and dried lemongrass and changes color depending on what is added to the liquid, with lemon juice turning it purple.[3] In Thailand and Vietnam, this butterfly blue pea flower tea is commonly mixed with honey and lemon to increase acidity and turn the beverage a pink-purple color, to produce for a drink usually served after dinner, or as a refreshment at hotels and spas.[4] The drink is a typical local drink like chamomile tea is in other parts of the world.[4] The tea is found in both hot and cold varieties [5]
The flowers have more recently been used in a color-changing gin. Blue in the bottle, it turns pink when mixed with a carbonated mixer such as tonic water due to the change in pH.[6] As organic colours are not permanent, this type of gin is recommended to be stored in a dark place to maintain the effect.