Butterfly Pea Flower: The Health Benefits of This Amazing Color Changing Cocktail Ingredient
Bars all over the country are adding wow to their cocktail menus with fantastic color changing cocktails, but many patrons have no idea as to the secret ingredient behind the magic or that this ingredient actually has some pretty significant health benefits. The butterfly pea flower, also known by various other names such as bluebellvine, Cordofan pea, Asian pigeonwings, or its botanical name Clitoria ternatea (named for its striking resemblance to a woman’s genitals) is a plant common to South East Asian countries such as Thailand.
Butterfly pea flowers come in various colors, but it’s the absolutely beautiful, vibrant blue color that is preferred as a natural, edible food dye and a great alternative to the artificially colored blue Curaçao. The flower’s rich color can be infused into spirits or simple syrups, and is also available as a tea or liquid extract, often used by bartenders. The magic of this flower comes from anthocyanin compounds. They not only provide the blue coloring to a cocktail, but due to being pH-sensitive, can change to a rich violet or bright pink with the addition of an acidic ingredient such as lemon or lime juice.
Butterfly pea tea is naturally caffeine free and is consumed regularly in Thailand and Vietnam. It is highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine and has been used for centuries to help enhance memory, help with symptoms of depression and anxiety, and as a sedative. Recent studies have found other potential benefits of butterfly pea extract:
Lowers blood sugars. Although only studied in diabetic rats, a 2015 study found that butterfly pea flower extracts lowered the glucose levels. This effect was said to be similar to the diabetes drug glyburide.
Fights off fevers. The antipyretic (fever-reducing) effects of the butterfly pea flower extract was said to be comparable to paracetamol. Doses ranging from 200-400mg/kg resulted in reductions in body temperature that lasted several hours.
Helps with stress and anxiety. The effects of butterfly pea flower extract on neurochemicals in the body were noted to help improve cognitive behavior, fight stress, anxiety and depression, and was even noted to help reduce the frequency and severity of some seizures.
Of course I don’t advise chugging the tea or entertain the notion that a magical blue cocktail will cure diabetes or any other health related issues, it’s nice to know that there are alternatives to traditional mixers that may make happy hour a little healthier.