Butterfly pea flower

Clitoria ternatea · Edible flower

40 pairings

The butterfly pea flower is the vivid cobalt-blue blossom of Clitoria ternatea, a climbing legume of tropical Asia. Almost flavourless on its own, it is prized as a natural blue colourant for rice, drinks and desserts — a dye that flips to violet, purple or pink the instant acid is added.

Picking a good onedrag

Deep ink-blue, bone-dry, snaps at a touchFaded grey-brown, damp and clumped

Shop freshBuy food-grade dried flowers sold for tea or colour. Florist, garden-centre and roadside blooms carry sprays cleared only for ornamentals.Buy this one

Where it came fromNamed herb supplier, packed for food, in date

Colour of the dried flowersBlue still clear, a few blossoms paling

Between finger and thumbSnaps clean, a little give at the throat

A pinch in hot waterBlue arrives slower and lighter, the flip still clean

What to look for, from deep ink-blue, bone-dry, snaps at a touch to faded grey-brown, damp and clumped.

Preparing