Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupBotanical herbal infusion and natural-colorant flower (legume/Fabaceae)
Scientific NameClitoria ternatea L.
PerishabilityLow
Growing Conditions- Tropical to subtropical climates; commonly grown where warm temperatures support vine growth and flowering
- Full sun preferred; well-drained soils emphasized in extension horticulture guidance
Main VarietiesBlue-flowered forms (dominant in colorant/tea trade), White-flowered forms, Violet/purple-flowered variants
Consumption Forms- Dried whole flowers or petals brewed as a caffeine-free herbal infusion
- Aqueous extracts used as natural blue color sources for foods and beverages
Grading Factors- Color intensity and uniformity (blue/violet pigmentation)
- Low moisture / dryness (to reduce spoilage risk and preserve color quality)
- Foreign matter and physical cleanliness
- Residue and contaminant compliance (e.g., pesticide residues and heavy metals) aligned to destination requirements
Market
Dried butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) flowers are traded globally as a botanical for caffeine-free herbal infusions (“blue tea”) and as a raw material for natural blue color applications. Commercial supply is most associated with tropical Asia—especially Southeast Asia—while the species is widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions more broadly. Demand is shaped by the broader shift toward plant-derived colorants and by regulatory acceptance in key end markets for extracts used as food color additives. Product-specific trade statistics are often opaque because shipments can be classified within broad HS headings for dried plants/herbal infusions rather than a dedicated butterfly-pea code.
Market GrowthGrowing (recent and medium-term outlook)expanding use as a natural blue color source alongside continued niche demand for caffeine-free herbal infusions
Major Producing Countries- ThailandCommon culinary/infusion and colorant use in the region; documented varietal selection work for flower yield/anthocyanin in Thai research.
- VietnamCommon regional use for dried flowers as a natural dye/infusion ingredient; commercial supply frequently marketed from Vietnam in global herbal product trade.
- MalaysiaResearch and food-application activity around butterfly-pea anthocyanins and extracts; part of the product’s Southeast Asian use geography.
- IndiaDocumented germplasm/accession work and traditional-use context in agricultural research, indicating established cultivation presence.
- ChinaResearch on butterfly-pea anthocyanin extracts (including from tropical Hainan-based institutions) indicates cultivation/processing interest for food applications.
Specification
Major VarietiesBlue-flowered forms, White-flowered forms, Violet/purple-flowered variants
Physical Attributes- Dried whole flowers or petals with deep blue to violet coloration from anthocyanin pigments (ternatins)
- Infusions/extracts exhibit pH-sensitive color behavior (commonly shifting toward purple under more acidic conditions)
Compositional Metrics- Anthocyanins (notably polyacylated anthocyanins/ternatins) are the principal coloring compounds emphasized in food-colorant applications
- Light exposure is a known stability constraint for butterfly-pea anthocyanin color systems (photostability weaker than thermal/storage stability in review literature)
Packaging- Moisture-barrier primary packs (e.g., lined bulk bags or sealed pouches) to maintain dryness and color quality
- Light-protective packaging is preferred where color retention is a buyer requirement
ProcessingHot-water (aqueous) extraction of dried petals is a commonly described route to obtain colorant extracts for food applications
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Flower harvest (often frequent/serial picking) → cleaning/sorting → drying (sun or controlled low-temperature drying) → foreign-matter removal → bulk packing → export/import → blending/retail packing for herbal infusions or further extraction for color applications
Demand Drivers- Use as a caffeine-free herbal infusion ingredient (“blue tea”) in specialty beverage and wellness retail
- Use as a plant-derived blue color source for beverages and other foods where natural color positioning is valued
Temperature- Dry, cool storage and moisture control are critical to prevent quality loss typical of dried botanical materials
- Protect finished dried material and extracts from unnecessary light exposure where color retention is a buyer specification concern
Shelf Life- Shelf performance is driven more by moisture uptake, hygiene, and light exposure than by typical fresh-produce perishability; buyer programs commonly focus on dryness, cleanliness, and contaminant testing.
Risks
Food Safety HighAs a dried botanical consumed as an infusion and used for extracts, butterfly pea supply can face import disruptions from pesticide residues, heavy metals, and hygiene-related contamination risks; non-compliance can trigger border rejections or delistings in regulated markets.Implement GAP/GMP and HACCP-based controls, verify supplier traceability, and use a testing plan aligned to destination requirements (e.g., contaminants/heavy metals and pesticide residue screening) and Codex/WHO-aligned quality-control methods.
Regulatory Compliance MediumRegulatory status can differ by market depending on whether the product is sold as a dried herbal infusion ingredient versus an extract used as a color additive; labeling and permitted uses for extracts are jurisdiction-specific.Confirm classification and intended-use pathway per destination market (herbal infusion vs. color additive extract), and maintain documentation (specs, process description, and compliance statements) consistent with the applicable regulatory category.
Quality Consistency MediumColor intensity and stability vary with raw material quality and handling; butterfly-pea anthocyanin systems are sensitive to factors such as pH and light exposure, which can cause batch-to-batch variability and customer complaints in beverage/color applications.Standardize incoming QC (color metrics/specs), control drying and storage conditions, and use light-protective packaging and stability validation for extract/color applications.
FAQ
What is dried butterfly pea, and what plant does it come from?Dried butterfly pea is made from the dried flowers of Clitoria ternatea. It is commonly used as a caffeine-free herbal infusion (“blue tea”) and as a botanical source for natural blue color in foods and beverages.
Why does butterfly pea tea often change color when lemon or other acids are added?The main pigments are anthocyanins (including polyacylated forms known as ternatins), which are pH-sensitive. When acidity increases, the visible color can shift (often from blue toward purple), which is a common characteristic of anthocyanin-based color systems.
Is butterfly pea flower extract permitted as a food color additive in the United States?In the United States, butterfly pea flower extract is listed by the FDA as a color additive exempt from certification with specified permitted food uses under 21 CFR § 73.69. This refers to the extract (produced by aqueous extraction of dried flowers), which is distinct from selling the dried flowers as an herbal infusion ingredient.