Blue Matcha (Butterfly Pea Flower): Is It Better Than Green Matcha?

Last Updated on October 5, 2023

Have you heard about blue matcha? Blue Matcha is a new product on the market and has been getting a lot of attention on social media lately. So, what is it? And how is it different from green matcha?

In this article, we will give a brief history and background of this wonderful blue powder, so next time you see it in a store you will know what it is.

Blue Matcha (Butterfly Pea Flower)

Despite what most people think, in fact, there are no blueberries or other types of blue fruit in blue matcha. So, where does it come from then? The answer may surprise you.

a glass of matcha powder — Blue Matcha powder

As part of the legume family, blue matcha is a type of tea plant of butterfly pea plant (Clitoria ternatea), which is native to Southeast Asia.

Blue Matcha is made from the butterfly pea flower, once the butterfly pea flowers are dry, the brewers grind tea leaves to powder and mix in herbal tea.

This method creates a vibrant blue liquid called blue butterfly pea tea that has a slightly sweet taste to it.

The beautiful blue color of matcha comes from the anthocyanin pigment in the butterfly pea plant. It’s 100% natural food coloring that you can use in baking or drinks.

So, what makes it so special?

Due to its potent antioxidant properties, there are a variety of benefits of matcha. This flavorful tea is rich in antioxidants and has anti-aging properties, along with showing a calming effect to help improve focus and concentration.

Best of all, blue matcha is made from butterfly peas. Unlike regular green tea leaves, it does not contain caffeine.

Blue Matcha Tea Taste

Blue matcha tea powder tastes like a blend of floral and earthy flavors with a subtle sweet finish.

Depending on where it comes from, a tea plant’s terroir also influences its taste. For example, blue matcha from Shizuoka has a more savory umami taste, while most often having a sweet floral taste.

blue drink in a coffee mug — Add it to your latte or smoothies hot or cold.

When you first try blue matcha, pay attention to its aroma as well as its taste. The best way to do this is to take a small sip and let it sit in your mouth for a few seconds before you swallow.

This gives you time to savor the flavor and notice the different elements that make up the taste.

You’ll probably notice the initial grassy flavor that is similar to green matcha tea, followed by ocean water notes. Blue matcha has a flavor similar to ocean water due to its umami content.

Benefits of Blue Matcha

Maybe you’ve seen blue matcha tea all over Instagram and in your favorite cafes. And if you’re skeptical about including this ingredient in your list, here are numerous health benefits you must know about:

Reduce anxiety

A traditional use of it is to calm an overactive nervous system, reduce stress, and relax the body.

Because blue matcha comes from the butterfly pea flower, unlike green matcha, it isn’t caffeinated, which means it in no way stimulates.

Help to improve cognitive function and digestion

Recent studies show that blue matcha may benefit cognitive function. The catechins present in matcha can improve memory and reaction time.

L-theanine, an amino acid found in matcha, also helps to promote a calm and relaxed state of mind. Plus, blue matcha increases Alpha brain activity, which increases focus and concentration.

High in antioxidants

There is no doubt that green matcha contains antioxidants, but blue matcha takes it to the next level.

One cup of blue matcha contains more than twice the amount of antioxidants as regular green matcha. Antioxidants are important for fighting free radicals and protecting our cells from damage.

There is evidence that antioxidants play a role in reducing inflammation and preventing cancer, among other health benefits

(Source: health.com).

Blue and Green Matcha

Although blue matcha and green matcha share the same name, they are completely different plants and substances.

The green powder is a camellia sinensis plant, whereas the blue matcha plant is a butterfly pea plant.

Green matcha blend is more common, however, and people consume it more often because it has a more typical “green tea” taste than blue matcha, which has a grassy flavor.

Plus, blue matcha tends to be more expensive than green matcha due to the rarity of the powder and the difficulty of cultivating the plants.

holding a jar of matcha overnight oats — I like to have Green Tea Matcha Overnight Oats to start off my day.

Blue matcha powder has a beautiful color, and it makes for a stunning presentation when you brew it as tea. You can add blue matcha powder to your baked food to enhance the color.

Here comes the question, which one to choose? Well, I’d say it depends on your personal preference.

You can add the color you like to your sweet and savory dishes. In my opinion, for those who want to try matcha for the first time, green matcha is more affordable than blue matcha powder.

In A Nutshell

Blue matcha is a unique and healthy drink that has many amazing benefits.

If you are looking for a healthy and delicious alternative other than coffee and tea, blue matcha is surely a must-try. Enjoy blue matcha!

FAQ

Q: How many types of matcha are there?

There are four main types of matcha: ceremonial, premium, culinary, and cooking.

Q: The Difference Between Culinary Grade and Ceremonial Grade Matcha?

Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality matcha available and is typically used in Japanese tea ceremonies. It has a bright green color and a smooth, umami flavor.

Compared to Ceremonial grade, Culinary grade matcha is of lower quality and is typically used in cooking or baking. It has a more muted green color and a slightly bitter flavor.

So, what’s the difference between these two grades of matcha? Ceremonial grade matcha is made from the youngest, most tender leaves, while culinary grade matcha is made from older leaves.

The leaves for ceremonial grade matcha are also grown in shade, which increases the chlorophyll content and gives the powder a brighter green color.

The increased chlorophyll content also gives ceremonial-grade matcha a more Umami flavor.

Q: Does Starbucks use any particular kind of matcha?

The matcha green tea used at Starbucks is called Aiya, which is manufactured in China but sourced from Japan.

This drink contains green tea (matcha) and is sweetened with sugar, giving it a pleasant saccharine taste after you drink it.

Q: What is the best way to tell if a matcha is real?

When it comes to matcha, there are a lot of fakes out there. But how can you tell if your matcha is the real deal? Here are a few tips:

First, take a look at the color. Real matcha should be a deep green, not yellow or brown. If it’s not green, it’s not real matcha.

Second, smell the matcha. It should have a fresh, grassy smell. If it smells like chemicals or anything artificial, it’s not real matcha.

Finally, taste the matcha. Real matcha will have a slightly bitter taste and a smooth texture. If it tastes sweet or has any gritty bits in it, it’s not real matcha.

So next time you’re looking for some quality matcha, make sure to keep these tips in mind!

Q: Is darker matcha better quality than lighter matcha?

One way to evaluate matcha is by looking at its color. Generally, darker matcha is seen as higher quality than lighter matcha.

This is because the darker leaves used to make darker matcha are older and have more nutrients. In addition, darker matcha has a richer flavor than lighter matcha.