This Butterfly Pea Flower, basking in the warmth of morning sun, was a pleasant discovery as I walked through the charming neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru.
Lesson 1 of Developing Your Eye Part 2, invites us to think about light. The word photography means “drawing with light” in Greek. I must admit that I have not paused to think of what I do with the camera as drawing. As I mull on this, however, I am tickled by how apropos it is. For this assignment, we are challenged to consider the direction & quality of light as we look through our cameras.
As I walked around this adorable little flower, playing with the light from various angles, I thought about its significance to the Peranakan culture – we use it as a natural colouring for some of my favourite sweets: Apom Berkuah, a crumpet-like pancake slathered with caramelised banana sauce; Kueh Salat: a 2-tiered cake, on top a creamy & fragrant custard, redolent with coconut milk & pandan, on the bottom, toothsome & decadent sticky rice. Both of these are traditionally beautified with a touch of the butterfly pea flower extract.
When I did a little digging, I discovered that Butterfly Pea Flower Tea is taken for health benefits, with antioxidant, analgesic and anti-stress properties. All in a dainty pretty little flower; I have some dried flowers in the pantry, I am going to make myself a cup now.
All things bright and beautiful 
Wow; blue tea (well tissane). How cool.
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I have to admit it is prettier than it tastes. We have a stash of dried flowers which we mostly use for colouring food, but the tisane is not to my taste!
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😀 that’s really interesting. I’m trying to imagine what it tastes like. 🤔
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It definitely doesn’t taste Blue! not what I’d expected. It is not very strong: not very floral, not fruity. A little herbal.
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So interesting. I’m off to find out more. 🙂
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I’ve never heard of a butterfly pea flower, but I love how it produces pretty blue tea … not to mention the plate of carmelized bananas 🙂
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The blue is quite rather lovely. The colour changes when you add something acidic, like lemon juice; it turns purple!
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We have been drinking this tea since last fall. When someone gifted a pack of the blossoms … very nice! Cheers Jamie
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It is such a beautiful colour!
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It is a beautiful flower and the food made with it looks delicious. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on light. You strike me as a life-long learner, my friend.
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Thanks for taking time to share in my favourite things, Janet (as you might have noticed, food always features in my thoughts!)
Actually, I haven’t always been an active learner. There was a time not so long ago when I thought all resources should be devote to the children: after all, it is their time to shine! But as they started to become more independent, they started to challenge me to grow with them, and that’s when my zest for learning started again. Very hard to stop now!
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The color is just awesome! I feel so drawn to it! Even it does not taste as you´ve expected, I will have a look around if I can get some butterfly pea flower here.
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I just so love blue flowers!!! Hope you manage to find some! I think health food shops should carry the dried petals.
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I´ve just had a look and think I can order it by Amazon but it is quite pricey… 😦
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You know what, Sarah, I have a stash at home – do you think you would receive it if I mail some to you? I know some countries don’t allow food items to be posted, but these are dried petals, so I think it should be ok.
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Oh, Ju-Lyn! This is so kind of you! And I would love to, but I think what with duty regulations here in Germany that might be a bit of a problem, especially since the tea has some medicinal proposes and benefits. I would probably end up paying more for it than if I would order it at Amazon´s! 😀 But thank you so much for your kind offer – you made me smile and made my day, dear friend! xxx
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I did wonder about that because I do know that Germany has strict Food & Drug laws.
Sending you hugs and good thoughts instead!
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Those are even better than the tea! 😀 ❤ xoxo
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