Blue Matcha 101: The Complete Guide
There’s a new tea in town, and it’s called blue matcha.
If you’ve never had blue matcha, you may wonder if it’s related to traditional matcha. Does it have the same health benefits, flavor profile, or aroma?
What is blue matcha? Unlike regular green matcha, which comes from the ground-up tea leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, blue matcha is made from the dried and crushed petals of the butterfly pea flower. This gives it its unique blue color and different health benefits from green matcha.
If you’re curious about blue matcha, then read on. This blog is a complete guide to everything you need to know about blue matcha, including its use, health benefits, and what makes it different from traditional green matcha.
What Is Blue Matcha?
Blue matcha is an exciting twist on traditional matcha. While traditional green matcha is made from the whole leaf of the Camellia sinensis plant, blue matcha is not.
Blue matcha is made with butterfly pea flowers, giving it a striking blue color. It’s made by grounding dried bloom flowers into a fine powder.
Butterfly pea flowers are native to Asia and have been used as an herbal tea for centuries. This flower imparts a blue color when it’s steeped in warm water and has also been used as a natural dye.
Blue matcha gets its name because it has the same form and preparation as traditional matcha. Like matcha, it comes in a fine powder and is prepared by whisking vigorously into a frothy tea.
It’s popular in the health and wellness community because it supports weight loss and skin and hair health. Since blue matcha isn’t considered a tea in the traditional sense, it’s caffeine-free. But like matcha, it has various health benefits.
Blue matcha doesn’t just have a delightful and eye-pleasing color; it’s also great in cocktails and desserts. Its flavor ranges from earthy to sweet, and its hue can make recipes look Insta-worthy.
If you’ve never had blue matcha, then it’s worth a try to see what the hype is all about.
What Does Blue Matcha Taste Like?
Blue matcha has a unique taste with floral, fruity, and earthy notes, giving it a light taste. Making a latte is one of the most popular ways to drink blue matcha. Adding sweetener and milk produces a richer and creamier flavor.
If you want to try something new, blue matcha is worth considering. Use it as a natural ingredient in smoothies, lattes, or desserts. With its health benefits increasing, it’s an exciting way to switch up your go-to’s.
What Is The Difference Between Green And Blue Matcha?
Are you wondering what the difference is between green and blue matcha? It’s not just the color that differentiates green and blue matcha; there are also more traits.
Green matcha has a vegetal flavor, high caffeine content, and health benefits like antioxidants and mental focus. Blue matcha, however, has an earthy taste with floral undertones and is entirely caffeine-free.
Here’s a table summarizing the differences:
| Green matcha | Blue matcha | |
| Plant Source | Camellia sinensis | Butterfly pea flower |
| Beverage | Traditional tea | Herbal tea |
| Light to deep green shade | Light blue | |
| Caffeine content | Approximately 70 milligrams per 8-ounce serving | Caffeine-free |
| Processing technique | Shaded and ground from green tea leaves | Ground from butterfly pea flower |
| Flavor profile | Grassy and earthy with sweetness and umami | Subtle, light and floral |
| Color | Bright green | Electric blue |
It’s worth knowing that blue matcha has zero green tea components since it’s made from butterfly pea flowers.
Blue matcha is less extensively researched than green matcha. However, it does have several unique health benefits.
For example, blue butterfly pea flowers are rich in anthocyanins, an antioxidant that gives the powder its vivid blue color. These antioxidants may help reduce inflammation, support brain health, and protect against oxidative stress.
Both green and blue matcha provide unique traits. They’re entirely different types of tea but equally enjoyable for their reasons. They’re derived from different plants and, as a result, have distinct flavors and nutritional values.
Common Uses For Butterfly Pea Flower Pant
The butterfly pea flower plant has multiple uses, such as cooking, cocktails, and cosmetics. It’s often used as a natural food coloring agent in dishes from Southeast Asia.
Beverages like tea, latte, and smoothies can be made with it. Here are a few unique ways to use the butterfly pea flower plant.
Tea and Lattes
One of the most popular ways to use the butterfly pea flower plant is by incorporating it into hot or iced teas and lattes. This is where the name blue matcha comes from.
Blue matcha’s vibrant color and earthy flavor make for a visually stunning and delicious drink. To prepare a blue matcha tea, whisk the powder with hot water until fully dissolved. Mix the powder with steamed milk or a dairy-free option for a latte.
Food Coloring
Blue matcha is also great for use as a natural food coloring, adding a beautiful hue to a variety of dishes without the need for artificial dyes. The blue color can enhance the appearance of sauces, dips, dressings, soups, and rice dishes, giving them a visually appealing blue hue.
For example, the butterfly pea flowers used in making blue matcha are often incorporated into a rice dish called Nasi Kerabu, turning the rice into an attractive color.
Smoothies and Desserts
Adding blue matcha to smoothies and desserts is an easy way to add color and nutrition to your favorite treats. The distinctive color works especially well in recipes like ice cream, cookies, and cakes.
For example, you can use blue matcha powder to create an eye-catching cake or cupcake. Experiment with different recipes – many recipes await you to try!
What Are The Benefits Of Blue Matcha?
Blue matcha contains antioxidants and is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also caffeine-free, making it an excellent alternative for those sensitive to caffeine or looking to reduce their caffeine intake.
Here are several common health benefits.
Skin and Hair Health
Blue matcha can positively impact our skin and hair health. The vibrant color of blue matcha comes from its high concentration of c-phycocyanin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.
This antioxidant can help protect our skin cells from damage, reduce inflammation, and promote overall skin health. According to research, blue matcha can increase skin hydration by 70%. Additionally, the nutrients in this tea may help improve hair strength and reduce hair fall.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
C-phycocyanin, the key component of blue matcha, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. These properties can help reduce inflammation in our bodies.
Blue matcha can maintain good health, as chronic inflammation has been linked to various diseases, such as arthritis, heart disease, and cancer. Including it to our diet may aid in reducing inflammation and promoting overall well-being.
Weight Loss
Blue matcha may play a role in supporting our weight loss journey by improving metabolism. Research has shown that butterfly pea flowers can slow down the formation of fat cells.
More research studies must be done to show how impactful butterfly pea flowers are on weight loss, but early signs are promising.
Maintain Blood Sugar Levels
It has also been suggested that blue matcha may help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce blood pressure.
One study on 15 males showed that consuming butterfly pea flower extract escalated the antioxidant levels while diminishing blood sugar and insulin levels, even with sugar in the beverage.
Adding blue matcha into our diet can provide numerous health benefits, including better skin and hair health, reduced inflammation, and support in weight loss. It’s not just the blue hue that should grab your attention but also the handful of health benefits.
How Much Caffeine Is In Blue Matcha?
Blue matcha is made from the butterfly pea flower (Clitoria principissae), a completely different plant from green matcha, made from tea leaves (Camellia sinensis).
Blue matcha does not contain caffeine because it is not derived from the tea plant. This makes it a suitable alternative for those who want beautiful color, mild flavor, and antioxidant benefits without the effects of caffeine.
How to Prepare Blue Matcha
Preparing blue matcha is very similar to preparing green matcha. You can use a bamboo whisk to mix the powder with hot water or blend it with milk and ice to make a refreshing blue matcha latte. You can also add honey or other sweeteners to adjust the taste to your liking.
To make a tasty cup of blue matcha, you can follow these steps:
Ingredients:
- One teaspoon of blue matcha powder (butterfly pea flower powder)
- Two cups of hot water (not boiling, ideally around 175°F)
- Sweetener to taste (such as honey, sugar, or agave syrup)
- Optional: a splash of milk or dairy-free alternative or lemon juice
Instructions:
- Heat water until it reaches 175°F with a kettle.
- Scoop one teaspoon of blue matcha powder into a bowl.
- Pour a small hot water into the bowl and whisk energetically in a zig-zag motion until it becomes a smooth paste.
- Add the rest of the hot water and whisk the mixture until it is frothy
- Add milk or sweetener if desired. Or you add a splash of lemon juice, which will change the tea’s color due to the pH reaction with the butterfly pea flower.
- Serve and enjoy!
It’s important to note that blue matcha has a milder flavor than green matcha.
FAQ About Blue Matcha
Here are several popular questions that people ask about blue matcha. Let’s dive into some of the answers below.
Can I drink blue butterfly pea tea every day?
Yes, you can enjoy blue butterfly pea tea daily because it’s a low-calorie, caffeine-free beverage. Drinking butterfly pea tea daily may offer numerous health benefits, such as improving metabolism, regulating blood sugar, and supporting hair and skin health. Like all foods and drinks, moderation is key, and you shouldn’t rely solely on blue matcha to maintain good health.
Who should not drink butterfly pea tea?
While most people can enjoy butterfly pea tea without adverse effects, some should practice caution or avoid it altogether. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their healthcare provider before consuming butterfly pea tea as its safety during pregnancy and lactation is not well-established. Those with allergies to the butterfly pea plant should also avoid consuming it to avoid adverse effects.
Does butterfly pea flower stain teeth?
Limited information is available on whether butterfly pea flower in the form of blue matcha causes staining on teeth. Traditionally, butterfly pea flower is soaked in warm water to produce a natural dye.
Blue matcha is gentle and light, so it’s not strong enough to stain teeth. Similarly, traditional green matcha does not stain teeth either. But to be on the safe side, it is a good idea to practice good oral hygiene by brushing regularly after drinking any tea, including blue matcha.
Final Thoughts
Blue matcha is a new sensation in the health and wellness community. It’s a light blue tea similar to traditional matcha because it comes in a powdered format. However, it’s considered an herbal tea from the blue butterfly pea flower.
It’s caffeine-free and has numerous health benefits, such as regulating blood sugar levels, weight loss, and hair and skin health. Try blue matcha if you’re looking for a light, floral-flavored tea. You’re in for a treat!
