Butterfly Pea Tea Lemonade - making it a variety of ways

                              

Butterfly-pea flower tea commonly known as Blue Tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea made from the flower petals or even whole flower of the Clitoria ternatea plant.

What is the Butterfly Pea Flower??  See what I found below from https://www.majesticherbs.com/clitoria-ternatea-blue-butterfly-pea-flowers-benefits/

"Are you suffering from low energy or brainpower? Feeling stressed? Anxiety? Can’t sleep? Can’t conceive? Constipated? Poor eyesight? Losing your hair or premature greying? Is your skin losing collagen?

Butterfly Pea is known to help.

Also known as Asian Pigeon Wings, Blue Bell Vine, Blue Pea, Cordofan Pea and Darwin pea, ‘Butterfly Pea’ (Clitoria ternatea) is an amazing brain boosting herb native to tropical equatorial Asia."

This tea is super easy to make.  You make it like any other herbal tea.  And it turns out this beautiful blue color.  

To make the tea I took 8 teaspoons of the butterfly pea blossoms and put them with hot water and no sugar- since I was adding lemonade to it.   I let it steep for about 10 minutes.

The tea by itself does not have a ton of flavor.  Next time I may add fresh mint to it.  There is no hint of floral taste, if anything it is more earthy.

By adding lemonade to the tea it turns it a beautiful purple color.  You would think that indigo and yellow would make green- but nope!  You get purple!

It is delicious!!!!

SECOND WAY:

Second time I made it I added mint tea from my garden....

I took 6- 8 tsp of the butterfly flowers and some mint and I made the tea.  I added the boiling water to the pitcher, let it steep and then took the tea bags out.

I then made a pitcher of lemonade.

I just poured half tea and half lemonade into my cup.  It worked well and I liked the addition of the mint.

THIRD WAY:

The third time I made it I added lavender to the butterfly blossoms.  This might have been my favorite!!!

Put the lavender and butterfly blooms in the pitcher.  Added the boiling water.  Let steep for 10 minutes or so, then pulled out the tea bags, and then filled with cold water.

I love the color!!!!

FOURTH WAY:

I tried adding Faygo Lemon/Lime seltzer water to the tea.  It turned colors, but I did not care for the taste.  I am sticking with lemonade!

I think I will call it Lavender Love!!!!  

6-8 teaspoons of butterfly pea blossoms

fresh mint

lavender

make the tea and add lemonade

Brew Dr- Island Mango Kombucha

https://www.brewdrkombucha.com/raw-organic-kombucha/island-mango/

This kombucha is so awesome!!  I love the flavors.

It is so healthy and wonderful for your gut too!!!

See the full article on line.  I love Dr. Josh Axe!!!  This is from his site.

"7 KOMBUCHA HEALTH BENEFITS

In research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food 2014, researchers from the University of Latvia say the following about the health benefits of kombucha:

It is shown that [kombucha] can efficiently act in health preservation and recovery due to four main properties: detoxification, anti-oxidation, energizing potencies, and promotion of boosting immunity.
We agree! In fact, according to research there are five main health benefits of kombucha..

1. Detoxification
The detoxifying capacity of kombucha is immense. A perfect example is in its ability to counteract liver cell toxicity.
In one study, the liver cells were protected from oxidative injury and actually maintained their normal physiology, in spite of being exposed to a toxin! According to researchers, this was “probably due to its antioxidant activity and could be beneficial against liver diseases, where oxidative stress is known to play a crucial role.”
2. Digestion
Naturally, the antioxidant prowess of this ancient tea counteracts free radicals that create mayhem in the digestive system. However, the greatest reason kombucha supports digestion is because of its high levels of beneficial acid, probiotics and enzymes.
Some research has shown kombucha’s ability to prevent and heal leaky gut and stomach ulcers. No surprise to us, in some instances it’s even proven to be as effective as drugs like Prilosec, which are commonly prescribed for heartburn, GERD and ulcers.
Kombucha can also help heal candida yeast from overpopulating within the gut because it helps restore balance to the digestive system. Kombucha is a great way to fight candida because it contains live probiotic cultures that help the gut to repopulate with good bacteria while crowding out the candida yeast. Kombucha does have bacteria, but these are not harmful pathogen bacteria, instead they are the beneficial kind (called “apathogens”) that compete with “bad” pathogen bacteria in the gut and digestive tract.
One thing to mention here is that candida or other digestive problems can sometimes be complicated issues to fix and symptoms might actually get worse before getting better. This doesn’t mean that kombucha isn’t effective or is exacerbating the problem, just that gut problems aren’t always a straight path to healing and at times some patience or trial and error is needed.
3. Energy
Kombucha’s ability to invigorate people is credited to the formation of iron that is released from the black tea during the fermentation process. It also contains some caffeine (although in very small amounts) and b-vitamins, which can energize the body.
Through a special process known as chelation, the iron released helps boost blood hemoglobin, improving oxygen supply to tissues and stimulating the energy-producing process at the cellular level. In other words, by helping the body create more energy (ATP), the ancient tea can help those who regularly drink it stay energized.
4. Immune Health
The overall effect that kombucha has to modulate the immune system is best seen in its ability to control free radicals through antioxidant measures.
Clinically proven to decrease oxidative stress and related immuno-suppression, a powerful antioxidant known as D-saccharic acid-1, 4-lactone (DSL) was discovered during the kombucha fermentation process that’s not found in black tea alone.
Scientists suspect that DSL and the vitamin C present in kombucha are its main secrets in protecting against cell damage, inflammatory diseases, tumors and overall depression of the immune system. Also, we know the probiotics found in kombucha support the immune system.
5. Joint Care
Kombucha can help heal, repair and prevent joint damage in a number of ways. Kombucha is loaded with glucosamines, which increase synovial hyaluronic acid production. This supports the preservation of collagen and prevents arthritic pain. In the same way it supports joint collagen, it also supports collagen of the entire body and reduces the appearance of wrinkles on the skin.
6. Cancer Prevention
Kombucha is also beneficial for cancer prevention and recovery. A study published in Cancer Letters found that consuming glucaric acid found in kombucha reduced the risk of cancer in humans.
President Reagan even reportedly drank kombucha daily as part of his regimen to battle stomach cancer.
7. Weight Loss
Data from a study in 2005 showed evidence that kombucha improves metabolism and limits fat accumulation. Though we need to see more studies before we can confirm these results, it makes sense that kombucha supports weight loss since it’s high in acetic acid (just like apple cider vinegar is) and polyphenols, which are proven to help increase weight loss."

https://draxe.com/7-reasons-drink-kombucha-everyday/

Ingredients: Brewed tea (water, green tea*), cane sugar*, mango puree*, passionfruit juice*, ginger juice*, live kombucha culture (yeast, bacteria), strawberry essence* *Organic

Red Mug, Lumberjack Latte - Mt Hope OH

https://www.facebook.com/theredmugcoffeeco/

I love the look and style of this place.  The staff is super friendly here too.  What I love most about this place is that the owners want to glorify God in all they do.  It doesn't get any better than that to me!!!

They have lots of fun drink options, but I have to say I get the same thing every time.  The Lumberjack.

The Lumberjack is a roasted chestnut tea with maple syrup and frothed milk.  It is rich and comforting. 

Note the sign above, it says CHIA Pudding...not CHAI Pudding....see below.....lol!

I thought it said CHAI PUDDING....no, it was Chia pudding.  Still good, but was hoping for Chai.  It was really actually delicious, especially with the fresh fruit on it!!

Gorgeous day in Holmes County.  

Rebecca's Bistro, Iced Chai Raspberry Latte, Walnut Creek OH

https://www.rebeccasbistro.com/

My Wednesday Wanderings took me to Walnut Creek, Oh.  It's just about 45 minutes from my house.  I decided to go to Rebecca's Bistro....and last time I was there it was called Rebecca's Tea Room.  I think it has been at least 10 years since I was there. 

Funny thing is I told my parents I was going there for lunch and my mom said that they were there for breakfast!!!  What are the odds???

It was a nice day and many folks were enjoying the outdoors.

I love the inside.  There are lots of places to sit and the tables are spread out nicely for distancing purposes.  It is so quaint and has such a wonderful warm and cozy charm about it.

This bistro was a log cabin that was built in the 1800's!  Rebecca started this business in 2002.

I actually ran into a friend while I was there.  I am amazed, but not surprised how many people I know who love this place.  My parents go when they are in the area, I have a co-worker who was just there.  I have a cousin who goes a often too.  When I posted on Facebook I was here, I had a friend in Mansfield who said she loves this place.  People from all over know and love Rebecca's.  It is a gem of a place!!

The staff is fun and super friendly.  You really need to check this place out if you have never been.

I went for the grilled cheese with Provolone and Swiss.  It was delicious!!  It had this cherry butter spread on it the elevated it from a regular grilled cheese to gourmet.  The cranberry and walnut bread was scrumptious as well.  With the sandwich I get a free side, so I went with the cheesy potatoes.  It was a very good and filling meal.

I also ordered an iced Raspberry Chai Latte.  It was very good. The chai itself may have been a mix, because I did need to keep stirring it because there were granules.  But that did not detract from the taste.  I would get it again.  I liked the addition of the raspberry to the iced chai. 

They have lots of fun drinks to try, see below.

I sat inside, but I did sneak outside to snap a photo.  I had several people look at me strangely...but I figured I would never see them again, lol.

It's such a adorable little place.  Ahhh, maybe someday I will have a place like this....

I also went to Heini's Cheese while I was in the area.  Really about the only time I go there is when I have friends visiting, but I was close so I picked up some cheese.  Normally, they have samples out of their cheese and you can try them all.  But, since COVID there were no samples out.  

I like their Swiss & Rye, Smoked horseradish, smoked Mozzarella, and their Onion Cheeses.  I love to do cheese on crackers for my super in the evening.  I will have cheese for weeks now!  They also have these great bagged cheese crisps!!  Look for Bunker Hill Cheese Crisp- https://bunkerhillcheese.com/crunchycheesecrisps/

https://heinis.com/

Beacon Cafe, Iced White Peach Tea, Winesburg, OH

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g51167-d13815787-Reviews-Beacon_Cafe-Winesburg_Ohio.html

This is my second time at the Beacon Cafe.  I was out and about on my day off and decided to have an iced tea for the ride home. #WednesdayWanderings

I did their Iced White Peach Tea.  The tea base is Lipton, but then they add a flavored syrup to it.  It was very tasty. 

They have lots of seating at the Beacon.

Quaint cafe with super friendly staff.  I recommend it for bite to eat or a drink on the go.

The parking is in the back of the cafe.  It is a really nice, clear cafe.

The cafe backs up to a cute park that you could go to with your kids too.

Just watch for buggies when you are driving around town.