Butterfly Pea Flower Tea: Recipe, Detox Claims & Safety

Butterfly pea flower tea is a blue, caffeine-free infusion of butterfly pea flowers and water that takes about 2 hours 5 minutes to prepare and yields approximately 950 mL (4 US cups).

It is one option in the broader category of herbal detox tea, though its main practical benefit is helping you enjoy water.

What is butterfly pea flower tea?

Butterfly pea flower tea is made by steeping the flowers of Clitoria ternatea in water. The flowers contain plant pigments called anthocyanins, which give the infusion its distinctive blue color.

The recipe below uses plain, dried butterfly pea flowers sold for food use. Pure butterfly pea flower tea contains no caffeine, but a commercial blend may contain caffeine if it also includes black or green tea. Check the package if you want a caffeine-free drink.

How do you make butterfly pea flower tea?

This cold-steep recipe makes approximately 950 mL (4 US cups), or about four 240 mL (1-cup) servings. Allow 5 minutes for preparation and at least 2 hours for steeping in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

• 2 g dried, food-grade butterfly pea flowers, about 1/4 cup loosely packed; volume varies with flower size
• 950 mL drinking water, about 4 US cups

Steps

1. Place the dried butterfly pea flowers in a clean, covered pitcher or jar.
2. Pour the drinking water over the flowers and cover the container.
3. Refrigerate for 2–4 hours to develop the color and flavor.
4. Strain out the flowers and pour the butterfly pea flower tea into glasses. Serve cold, with ice if desired.

For another personalized infusion idea, use the ai detox recipe generator.

Keep the prepared butterfly pea flower tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling. Do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours.

For a lighter infusion, strain the flowers after 2 hours; for a stronger flavor, leave them in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours. The color and taste can vary with the flowers and the amount used.

What does butterfly pea flower tea do for detox?

Butterfly pea flower tea can contribute water to your daily fluid intake, but there is no established evidence that the drink speeds up detoxification or removes toxins from the body. Its blue color and plant pigments are not proof of a detox effect.

The liver and kidneys do most of the body’s detoxification, while the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste. Sweat removes only trace amounts. Drinking enough fluid supports normal body functions, including those of the kidneys, but butterfly pea flower tea does not replace medical care or a balanced diet.

Research on butterfly pea flower ingredients should not automatically be taken as evidence about a cup of butterfly pea flower tea. The amount of plant material in an infusion can differ from the amounts used in ingredient research.

How much butterfly pea flower tea should you drink, and when?

There is no established amount of butterfly pea flower tea required for detox or a proven best time to drink it. A 240 mL (1-cup) serving is a convenient starting portion; enjoy it when you would normally have a drink, rather than following a detox schedule.

Pure butterfly pea flower tea is caffeine-free, so it can be an option later in the day for people avoiding caffeine. If you have been told to limit fluids because of a medical condition, count it toward your prescribed fluid allowance and ask your clinician how it fits.

What are the side effects of butterfly pea flower tea?

Stop drinking butterfly pea flower tea if you notice a possible reaction, such as itching, a rash or stomach discomfort. Seek urgent medical help for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, or a severe reaction.

Food and herbal products can affect people differently, and safety information for concentrated butterfly pea flower products is limited. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication, have a medical condition, or want to give butterfly pea flower tea to a child, check with a healthcare professional first. Use food-grade flowers, not flowers sold for decoration or treated with garden chemicals.

FAQs

The flavor and color of butterfly pea flower tea can vary with the flowers and additions you choose. The answers below cover a few ways to serve it.

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