BUTTERFLY PEA

Clitoria ternatea

  • COMMON NAMES

    Butterfly Pea, Asian Pidgeonwings, Blue Pea

  • PLANT FAMILY

    Fabaceae

    The Bean Family

  • NATIVE REGION

    Native to tropical regions of Africa and Eastern Asia.

  • HABITAT

    Native habitat is subtropical grasslands, but can grow in temperate places in full sun & a variety of soils.

  • CULTIVATION

    Annual, from seed

  • PARTS USED

    Flower

PREPARATION

PROPERTIES: Flavonoids

FLAVOR PROFILE: Floral & mild

PAIRING: Citrus juice or chamomile to activate its color-changing abilities

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping teaspoon per cup of hot water.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz honey; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup honey for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz vinegar; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup vinegar for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Use flowering tops and leaves. Discard stems. Chop finely and use 1 heaping tablespoon per 1 oz spirit; or 1 cup herb per 1 cup spirit for a 1:1 ratio.

  • Dries quickly, air dry and do not apply additional heat to retain delicate volatile oil.