What is a tea connoisseur you may ask? Well, we all know what tea is, but a connoisseur is a person with expert-level knowledge when it comes to matters of taste – be it fine art, music, food, drinks and more. So a tea connoisseur is someone with an exceptional amount of passion for tea and who holds a deep affection and appreciation for it. Does this sound like you?
If so, there’s one particular tea you absolutely must add to your collection. All it takes is one TikTok search of ‘butterfly pea flower tea’ to feast your eyes on one of the most aesthetically-pleasing drinks to have graced the world of teas:
@nehakarkee15 Let’s have blue tea ? #butterflypeaflower #tea #fyp ♬ original sound – Jyoti Shah
In the world of teas, very few come close to its beauty with its striking deep blue colour. Almost none come close to its ability to transform colour, from blue to purple to pink with just a touch of lemon:
@simplesips This teapot is our newest obsession, and i dont see that changing anytime soon. #amazonfinds #teapots #butterflypeaflower ♬ New Home – Austin Farwell
Butterfly pea flower tea is a herbal tea, or tisane drink, that’s made from dried blue-coloured flowers of the Clitoria ternatea plant mostly grown in South East Asian countries. It has a slightly earthy or woody yet floral aroma and taste.
The colour changes from blue to purple when the pH level changes, so adding something acidic like lemon or lime becomes the ‘abracadabra‘ or scientific ‘wand’ to this magical drink.
Not only is it beautiful and magical, but this caffeine-free tea is also even beneficial for your well-being. It’s calming, packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, as well as anti-inflammatory properties and promotes healthy hair and skin – according to MedicineNet.
As a tea connoisseur, tea party host, or simply a beverage-aesthetic appreciator, if you’re looking for the ultimate package in a tea; butterfly pea flower tea is it. It’s perfect for daily drinking all year round since it can be served hot or cold, unsweetened or sweetened, and using a plethora of complimentary ingredients.
Why not add soda water and flower ice cubes for some extra bubbles and pizzazz:
@bahayrista.carla Paradise found. —-in a glass? Have a glass of positivi-TEA! We’re halfway to the weekend. #HomeCafePh #KapeTayo #LockdownKitchen #RainyDayTreats #fyp ♬ Easy Living – Ella Fitzgerald
You can even add some milk if you prefer a creamier taste:
@viviannecafe cloud milk ☁️? #butterflypea #homecafe #aestheticdrinks ♬ Sixty Second Commercial 1 by Michael Reynolds – malcolm
@milkteamali ube butterfly pea flower tea latte? #tealatte #moneytok #easyrecipe #homemade ♬ Jazz – Aylior
A message from Cape {town} Etc’s Tauhira Ajam: So far in my investigation (which I must admit, only migrated from the internet to the streets of Cape Town a few days ago as I too am a tea-connoisseur-in-training) the only places I’ve managed to source it, for now, is Mainland China Food Market, Jasmine Tea Mill and Nigiro Tea café.
- Location: 12 Grove Ave, Claremont
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 am to 5.30 pm | Saturday 9 am to 4.30 pm | Sunday 10 am to 2 pm
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Picture: Unsplash