What Does Butterfly Pea Tea Taste Like? Everything You Need to Know About Blue Tea

If you’re a tea lover, you’ll find butterfly pea tea to be a unique and visually stunning addition to your collection—something special to share with friends or enjoy on a quiet afternoon.

Flavor Notes

When you take a sip, you’ll notice earthy and vegetal tones with soft floral hints. Because the flavor is mild, it’s fantastic to blend with herbs like mint leaves or brighten up with a splash of lemon juice. Butterfly pea tea acts as a neutral base, letting other flavors shine without overpowering them. That’s why so many creative tea recipes use blue tea.

Now, while the tea is generally mild, you might detect a very subtle bitter note if you brew it for a long time or use more dried flowers than usual. But don’t worry—this bitterness is never overwhelming and is nicely balanced by the tea’s natural, slightly sweet undertones, especially if you add a touch of honey or sugar syrup.

Sweetness and Acidity

By itself, butterfly pea tea isn’t sweet and has very little acidity, making it a calm and soothing drink any time of day. But here’s a little magic: add some lime or lemon juice, and not only do you get a subtle tartness to brighten the flavor, but you also trigger the tea’s famous color change—from a deep blue to a beautiful purple. This happens because the acidity lowers the pH level, causing the tea to shift colors. A few drops of honey or sugar syrup can add just the right amount of sweetness without covering up the tea’s natural earthy flavor. When you add lemon juice, the tea gets a lovely brightening effect that perfectly balances its mild taste.

Butterfly Pea Tea vs Other Teas

Let’s take a moment to compare butterfly pea tea with some other popular teas so you can really appreciate what makes it special.

Green Tea

If you enjoy green tea, you’ll notice it has grassy, vegetal flavors and a bit of astringency. Butterfly pea tea, on the other hand, is smoother and less bitter, with a softer, more comforting mouthfeel. If you’re looking for a mild herbal alternative, butterfly pea tea might just become your new favorite.

Black Tea

Black tea brings bold, malty flavors and strong tannins, which can sometimes feel intense or bitter. If that’s not your cup of tea, butterfly pea flower tea offers a gentler, earthy flavor that’s much easier on your palate.

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is known for its sweet, floral, and calming notes. Butterfly pea flower tea is more neutral and earthy in taste. Both are caffeine-free, but butterfly pea tea stands out with its vibrant blue color and versatile flavor, making it a fun and unique choice.

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea has a tart, fruity flavor—quite the opposite of butterfly pea flower tea’s mild, woody taste. But here’s a fun idea: blend the two! You’ll get a refreshing, colorful drink that balances tartness with earthiness, and thanks to blue tea’s color-changing magic, it’s a visual treat too.

How to Make Hot Butterfly Pea Tea

Making a hot cup of butterfly pea flower tea, or blue tea, is easy and fun to do at home. If you use quality dried butterfly pea flowers or butterfly pea powder along with filtered water, you’ll get the best flavor and that beautiful bright blue color you’re looking for.

You can enjoy butterfly pea flower tea hot, and for the best flavor and experience, serving it warm is ideal.

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried butterfly pea flowers, butterfly pea powder, or blue tea leaves

• 1 cup of boiling water or hot water

• Optional: lemon juice, lime juice, or honey to brighten flavor and add sweetness

• You can use tea bags, but loose dried flowers often give a richer taste

Brewing the Tea

Simply place the dried flowers or powder into your cup or teapot. Pour boiling water over them. Using a measuring cup helps keep your water amounts consistent. If you like, add a splash of lime or lemon juice to taste—not only does it add flavor, but it also triggers the tea’s magical color change.

Steep Time

Let your tea steep for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how strong you want it. Don’t worry about bitterness; over-steeping won’t make it bitter but will deepen the blue color even more.

Color Changing Properties

Here’s one of the coolest parts: adding an acidic ingredient like lime or lemon juice will change your tea from a deep blue hue to a vibrant purple color. It’s a fun and surprising effect that’s especially delightful for kids or when you have guests over. This color-changing magic is one of the best features of butterfly pea tea.

Review Recipe and Instructions

If you’re following a recipe, keep in mind that paying attention to steeping times and water temperature will help you avoid any unwanted bitter taste or overly strong flavors. Sticking to clear instructions ensures you get the perfect balance of taste and vibrant color every time you brew.

How to Make Iced Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

The iced version of butterfly pea flower tea, or blue tea, is refreshing and visually stunning—perfect for warm days or social gatherings where you want to impress your guests.

You can easily add your favorite sweetener like honey, sugar syrup, or whatever you prefer to make it just right for your taste buds.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons of dried butterfly pea flowers

• 1 cup boiling water

• Ice cubes

• Optional: lime or lemon juice, mint leaves, or sugar syrup

Brewing the Iced Tea

Start by brewing a strong hot concentrate with the dried flowers and boiling water. This step is key to keeping the flavor bold and the deep blue color vibrant even after you add ice cubes.

Adding Cold Water and Ice

Once your concentrate is ready, mix it with cold water and plenty of ice cubes to chill it perfectly. Add a splash of lime or lemon juice to brighten the taste and trigger that magical color change. For an extra touch of flavor and a beautiful presentation, garnish with fresh mint leaves or a few drops of sugar syrup. Blue iced tea is becoming a popular choice not just for its refreshing taste but also for its stunning appearance—give it a try and see for yourself!

How to Enhance the Taste of Butterfly Pea Tea

Butterfly pea flower tea has a mild flavor on its own, but you can easily make it your own by blending it with fresh mint leaves, lemongrass, or ginger for an added burst of aroma and freshness. If you like a touch of sweetness, try adding a little honey or sugar syrup to brighten the taste. For a tangy twist, a splash of lemon or lime juice works wonders—and it even changes the tea’s color right before your eyes! Feeling adventurous? Whisk some butterfly pea powder with hot water and whole milk to create a creamy, colorful blue matcha latte. These trendy latte versions are a favorite among tea lovers who adore blue tea, and you might just find yourself hooked too.

Butterfly Pea Tea Recipes

Butterfly pea flower tea is a versatile ingredient you can use in many creative recipes that highlight its vibrant color and mild taste—perfect for your kitchen adventures.

• Butterfly Pea Lemonade - Imagine combining your brewed blue tea with a splash of lemon juice and a bit of sweetener. It’s a refreshing treat that’s perfect for hot days or lively parties.

• Blue Latte - Try mixing your hot blue tea with whole milk or your favorite plant-based milk. The pastel blue or purple color is stunning and sure to brighten your day.

• Blue Mocktail or Cocktail - Use blue tea as a base for colorful mocktails or cocktails. The color-changing properties make it a fun and impressive ingredient for your mixology experiments and social media posts. Blue tea is a favorite for creative, eye-catching drinks you’ll love to share.

Potential Health Benefits

Butterfly pea tea isn’t just about its unique flavor and stunning blue color—it’s also packed with antioxidants, those natural compounds found in many plant-based foods that help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. By including antioxidant-rich teas like this one in your balanced diet, you’re giving your body a little extra boost toward overall wellness. Plus, many people love this tea for its calming qualities, which might just help you unwind and relax after a busy day.

You might also be interested to know that some traditional uses and emerging research suggest butterfly pea tea could support your cognitive function, helping with mental clarity and focus. While scientists are still exploring these effects, plenty of tea lovers enjoy making this tea a part of their healthy lifestyle routine.

And if you’re watching your weight, butterfly pea tea fits right in. Its mild flavor and naturally caffeine-free nature make it a refreshing, low-calorie beverage option to enjoy anytime as part of a balanced diet and exercise plan. Why not give it a try and see how it fits into your wellness journey?

Disclaimer: The statements made about the potential health benefits of butterfly pea tea have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or health routine.

Butterfly Pea Tea Caffeine Content

Butterfly pea flower tea contains no caffeine, so it’s a great choice if you want to enjoy tea without any stimulants. You can drink butterfly pea tea anytime you like—whether it’s morning, night, or any moment in between.

Butterfly Pea Tea Storage and Shelf Life

Store your dried blue flowers in a cool, dry place away from sunlight to keep them fresh for up to a year. If you brew some tea, you can refrigerate it for 2 to 3 days. Just remember to add lemon or lime juice only when you're ready to serve, so you keep that beautiful color vibrant.

FAQs

Why does butterfly pea flower tea change color?

The bright blue petals contain anthocyanins, which react with acidic ingredients like lemon or lime juice and magically change your tea from blue to purple right before your eyes.

Does butterfly pea flower tea taste good?

The tea has a mild, earthy flavor with a slightly sweet undertone that you’ll likely enjoy. Many tea lovers find it tastes even better when you add a splash of lemon juice, a drizzle of honey, or some fresh herbs to brighten it up just the way you like.

Can you drink butterfly pea flower tea every day?

Yes, you can! It’s safe and naturally caffeine-free, so feel free to enjoy it in moderation just like any other herbal tea.

What is the best time to drink butterfly pea flower tea?

You can enjoy blue tea anytime you like. Many tea lovers find a hot cup in the evening especially comforting as a soothing herbal tea just for themselves.

Conclusion

Blue tea, also known as butterfly pea flower tea, is a mild, earthy herbal tea that will charm your eyes and taste buds. Try it hot, iced, as a latte or with lemon or lime juice. Find your favorite and the perfect recipe here. 

Ready to experience the magic of butterfly pea tea for yourself? Explore our carefully curated selection of butterfly pea flower teas in our online store and discover your perfect cup today!