When my blue pea flowers are blooming, I'll collect it everyday and dry them and store for future use. To dry, spread it on a plate and just air dry it near the kitchen window for a few days till crisp. Store it and I'll have it all year round.
Previously I had been using them to make Pulut Tai Tai/Pulut Tekan - Steamed Blue Pea Flowers Glutinous Rice.
(Recipe link here : http://cookwithmi.wix.com/cookwithmi#!Pulut-Tai-Tai-Steamed-Blue-Pea-Flowers-Glutinous-Rice/cmbz/56d8fc310cf2cacdc4239630)
Apart from that, tea made with blue pea flowers not only looks beautiful (it has got a natural intense vivid blue color) and it's 100% natural tea. Had this once in a restaurant in Thailand and can never forget it. They named it Magic Drink.
In Thailand, the flowers are most famously used to make traditional Thai welcome tea known as dok anchan, and serve to hotel guests upon their arrivals.
This tea is very easy to make and can be served as a refreshing drink. Serve them in transparent glasses like a magic potion. Another beautiful thing about this tea is when we add lemon juice to the tea, the color changes like magic right in front of your eyes. Watch them changes color from blue to beautiful purplish pink color after adding few drops of lemon juice to it. The burst of citrus causes the drink to have a punchy aftertaste, but it also serves a more arresting purpose—making the drink change colors. You can enjoy it hot or cold.
Blue pea has an incredibly sensitive pH balance, meaning even the slightest shift in acidity can turn a beverage from deep blue, to a vibrant plum, to a fizzy magenta. The more acid that comes in contact with the tea, the lighter in color it becomes.
Blue pea tea has many health benefits, includes :
- treats hair loss, premature grey hair & strengthen the hair
- reduces blurry visions, improves eyesight & treats eye infections
- enhances immune system
- anti-oxidant (slows down aging process)
- keeps skin glowing & healthy
- body detox
- tonic for intimate woman's issues
- treats urinary problems
- stimulate blood circulations
- improves vitality (good for those suffering from chronic fatigue)
Ingredients: (makes 2-3 glass)
30 buds Fresh/Dried Blue Pea Flowers
Sugar Syrup
few drops Fresh Lemon Juice / Lime Juice
Step by Step:
1. Steep Blue Pea Flowers in a rice bowl with some hot water for at least 4hrs or overnight in the fridge to yield the blue pea extract. You will have dark blue colored extract. (Mine is after overnight)
2. To serve, fill your glass with some ice cubes. Add about 2 tbsp of Blue Pea extract and pour drinking water & sugar syrup (add to adjust sweetness to your tastebud) into the glass.
3. Add lemon juice / lime juice to taste. Here's the magical part. Watch them changes color from blue to beautiful purplish pink color once you add in few drops of lemon juice to it.
4. Serve immediately.
You may replace sugar syrup with honey.
This tea should never be overlooked, it's far too beautiful and healthy with so many benefits.