Good morning, sippers! Today, as we creep closer to spooky season, we're going to be discussing one of our "so-called" magic teas, our Amethyst Berry, color changing tea! This delicious tea is one of our tisane teas that is made up of dehydrated fruits and herbs - one being the secret ingredient of butterfly pea flower. Butterfly pea flower has been a hot topic lately for a few reasons. It not only has the ability to make almost anything blue in color, but it also changes color due to temperature or the addition or a citrus component which we will expand upon shortly. Additionally, butterfly pea flower offers a whole host of health benefits to be discussed below. To learn more, read on!
The Butterfly Pea: Nature's Color-Changing Marvel
The butterfly pea, often referred to as Asian Pigeonwings, is a captivating vine adorned with vividly blue or purple flowers. But what's intriguing is that this plant is a member of the pea family, producing edible pea pods like its leguminous relatives. Native to Africa and India, its origins are shrouded in mystery. Today, there are approximately 35 species of butterfly pea plants, with just one variety thriving in the United States. The American version boasts a lavender hue, while Southeast Asia is home to many striking blue butterfly pea varieties. These flowers, resembling delicate butterfly wings, lend the plant its name, and they are a sight to behold, although they bloom for just a fleeting 24 hours, demanding meticulous harvesting.
How lucky are we that it is an ingredient in one of our teas?! Now onto the fun stuff!
Changing Colors!
One of the most enchanting features of our Amethyst Berry and butterfly pea flower is its ability to change colors. This magical transformation is thanks to the same anthocyanins responsible for promoting hair growth (We'll get into this more below.). These pigments make butterfly pea flower a natural food coloring agent, used worldwide. In America, dried butterfly pea flowers are often powdered and blended with matcha to create enticing blue butterfly lattes. In Thailand, the flower's natural dyes are used to prepare nam dok anchan, a sugary blue beverage traditionally served with lime. As mentioned above, the addition of lemon or lime juice, which is acidic, alters the drink's pH levels and magically transforms the blue tea into a stunning magenta or pink hue. Additionally, changing the temperature of the tea changes its color. Brewed hot, you will find our Amethyst Berry to be a beautiful blue, but then when poured over ice, the tea will change into a royal purple color. We love this feature for your upcoming Halloween get togethers! It is an easy way to insert a little bit of magic into the event!
Now let's look into the health benefits that we mentioned above!
7 Health Benefits of Butterfly Pea Flower
Supports Healthy Skin
Beyond its captivating appearance, butterfly pea flower extract can work wonders for your skin. Recent studies have demonstrated that it can increase skin hydration by a remarkable 70%. Moreover, it can help safeguard your skin against collagenase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down collagen, the protein that maintains skin elasticity. By regulating collagenase, butterfly pea flower tea may contribute to healthier, more radiant skin. So, if you're aiming for that natural glow this fall season, try sipping some Amethyst Berry Tea!
Promotes Hair Growth
We told you we'd talk more about this! For those yearning for thicker, luscious locks, butterfly pea tea is a promising choice. It contains anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid responsible for its distinctive blue hue. Anthocyanins can enhance blood flow in the scalp and strengthen hair follicles, ultimately promoting thicker, healthier hair. Many cosmetic and beauty products have embraced butterfly pea flower as a key ingredient, so why not give it a try with our tea?
High in Antioxidants
Antioxidants play a crucial role in neutralizing free radicals—those atoms on a quest to find their missing electron. Excessive free radicals can wreak havoc on your body, leading to oxidative stress, a precursor to numerous health issues. Fortunately, butterfly pea flower tea is a rich source of antioxidants, including flavonoids and polyphenols. While some may resemble those found in green tea, this herbal infusion boasts unique antioxidant properties that can help combat oxidative stress.
Might Boost Brainpower
Centuries of use in Ayurvedic medicine for memory enhancement and cognitive clarity are now substantiated by scientific research. Studies suggest that butterfly pea flower exhibits nootropic activity, potentially improving memory and cognitive performance. If you're keen on experiencing these cognitive benefits, consider trying Amethyst Berry which is a blend of hibiscus, butterfly pea flower, apple pieces, rose hips, orange, papaya flavor, blueberries, strawberries, and natural blackberry flavors—a delightful brain boost in a cup.
Supports Reproductive Health
Traditionally, Ayurvedic medicine has hailed butterfly pea as a fertility treatment, particularly for enhancing male fertility. Additionally, it has been associated with aphrodisiac properties, although these remain unproven by scientific studies. Nevertheless, sipping a cup of butterfly pea tea might be an intriguing venture into this realm of wellness.
May Support Overall Wellness
Early research suggests that butterfly pea tea may contribute to a healthy metabolism by helping to maintain stable blood sugar levels, even in the presence of your own added sugar in the drink. Furthermore, this enchanting blue flower may support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, potentially bolstering heart health. However, further research is required to confirm these effects definitively.
Caffeine-Free
Our Amethyst Berry tea, like all of our tisane and herbal teas, offers a caffeine-free alternative to traditional teas. For individuals with high caffeine sensitivity or a low tolerance, this herbal tea is an excellent choice. It promises a calming tea experience, even for those who typically experience jitters from caffeine.
If you decide to give our Amethyst Berry tea a try either for the color changing fun or for one of these health benefits, let us know how you fare! We can't wait to hear your feedback! Oh yeah, we also almost forgot to mention - this tea smells amazing! It is fruity, luscious, and tantalizing just from the first sniff so we are so excited for your to sip it! We will have more spooky inspired teas and ideas coming your way soon! Happy sipping, friends! - Kaytea :)
P.S. Don't forget to snap a photo of your color changing, Amethyst Berry tea to be featured on our social media channels! If you tag us, we'll send you a discount code to be used on your next order! 💙➡️💜