If you love healthy refreshing beverages, may it be served or prepared hot or cold then a must try drink is the blue ternate tea. Clitoria ternatea, commonly known as Asian pigeonwings, bluebellvine, blue pea, butterfly pea, cordofan pea or Darwin pea is a plant species belonging to the family Fabaceae. In India, it is revered as a holy flower, used in daily puja rituals. The flowers of this vine were imagined to have the shape of human female genitals, hence the Latin name of the genus "Clitoria", from "clitoris". The species name is thought to derive from the city of Ternate in the Indonesian archipelago, from where Linnaeus's specimens originated.

Blue ternate Although it was brought to Africa, Australia, and the Americas, this plant is native to equatorial Asia, including regions in South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, perennial meaning the plant lives more than two years; and its leaves are elliptic and acute or obtuse. It thrives in damp, neutral soil and develops as a vine or creeper. The blossoms of this plant stand out due to their magnificent deep blue hue and light-yellow outlines. They measure approximately 4 cm (1 12 in) length by 3 cm (1 14 in).

Its fruit can be eaten when it is tender. The 5-7 cm (2-2+34 in) long, flat pods of the fruits contain six to ten seeds each.

The benefits:

Reduces stress.

It enhances memory.

It has both aesthetic value and cooling effect.

Hormones and phytochemicals with beneficial effects on nutrition - may be present.

Offers helpful enzymes and it has the power to heal.

Full of natural antioxidants.

Helps improve blood circulation.

Helps prevent hair loss and graying.

It cleanses the blood.

Improves night vision.

Revitalizes skin and hair.

Protects from free radicals.

The nutrient values based on the methodologies used in preparation of tea/the blue ternate tea, with a serving of 3 grams, are as follows:  Trace Minerals/Ash (1.40%), Crude Protein (6.43%), Total Fat (0.69%), Carbohydrates (18.8%) and Energy (107.3kcal/3g)

To make a blue ternate drink you can use the freshly picked flowers, the dried flowers or the ready to use tea. When using its fresh flower, remove the green stem and leaves leaving only the flower; and also, don’t steep the flower too long as these can affect the taste, will have strong flavor and tastes less pleasant.

With all of these health benefits that a blue ternate can give, it surely would entice you. So, get creative in preparing a drink from a blue ternate flower. Take a sip and give it a try!  

AA I Floricel N. Denopol, RND

References

Clitoria ternatea

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clitoria_ternatea  

Production of Tea from the Flower of Blue Ternate

https://ap.fftc.org.tw/article/2654

8 Health Benefits of Blue Clitoria Ternatea

https://www.medicinenet.com/8_health_benefits_of_blue_clitoria_ternate/article.htm

Butterfly Pea Tea & How to Make It in 10 Minutes

by Phasinee Doddeo

https://www.tastythais.com/butterfly-pea-tea-how-to-make-it/