Soha Ali Khan is giving fans a glimpse into her travel routine, and this time, it's her on-flight beverage that has caught everyone's attention. The actress shared a video on Instagram stories, sipping on a striking blue-coloured tea. Sharing the video, Soha wrote, “Blue tea, blue kurta, blue plane, blue book…”
Take a look at Soha Ali Khan's Instagram Story:
Photo: Instagram/@sakpataudi
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What is Blue Tea?
Blue tea, or butterfly pea flower tea, is a caffeine-free herbal drink made by steeping the vibrant blue petals of the Clitoria ternatea plant. This tea is famous for its bright indigo colour and its ability to change into purple or pink when mixed with lemon juice. Blue tea is mild and comes with an earthy taste.
How is Blue Tea Made?
Blue tea is made by steeping fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers (Clitoria ternatea) in hot water. The water extracts rich, water-soluble pigments called anthocyanins from the petals, turning the liquid a vivid indigo blue.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make blue tea:
- Heat one cup of water in a pan until it reaches a rolling boil.
- Add fresh or dried butterfly pea flowers into the hot water.
- Cover the pan and let the flowers steep for at least 4 to 5 minutes. If you want a deeper colour and stronger taste, let the flowers steep for around 10 minutes.
- Pour the vibrant blue tea through a strainer into the cup.
- You can drink the tea as it is or squeeze in a bit of lemon juice. The acidity of the citrus changes the pH balance and turns the blue tea into a striking purple or magenta colour.
Benefits of Blue Tea
Butterfly pea flower is rich in antioxidants and linked to several health benefits, including weight loss and blood sugar control, as well as hair and skin health.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory
Butterfly pea flowers are extremely rich in antioxidant compounds, called ternatins, which have been shown to alleviate inflammation and prevent cancer cell growth. It is also rich in other healing antioxidants, including kaempferol, known for fighting cancer cells; p-coumarin acid, known for being anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral; and delphinidin-3,5-glucoside, known to boost immune function.
Boosts Brain Function
Butterfly pea flower is commonly known in the Indian Ayurvedic medicinal system as a brain herb, used for centuries to enhance memory, treat anxiety, depression, ADHD, stress, and Alzheimer's, as well as just offer a general brain boost.
Stabilises Blood Sugar Levels
Butterfly pea flower has also been shown to be excellent at stabilising blood sugar levels through its ability to inhibit glucose intake.
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Supports Skin and Hair Health
Butterfly pea flower contains a rich array of antioxidants, which may also be beneficial for promoting hair and skin health. This flower is also used in everything from skin care serums to hair mists and shampoos.
Weight Loss
A 2019 test-tube study suggests that butterfly pea flower extract may slow the formation of fat cells by regulating certain pathways involved in cell progression.