Anchan or Butterfly Pea

Anchan or butterfly pea flowers are the edible blossoms of the blue butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), a plant from the legume family that is widespread across Southeast Asia.

The flowers have been used for centuries in the region to make a caffeine-free herbal tea, also known as “blue tea” or “butterfly pea tea”. The tea gets its characteristic color from the deep blue pigment of the petals.

This intense coloring property is also used to dye fabrics or food such as rice. Blue-colored sticky rice is a popular ingredient in Thai desserts.

In Thailand and Laos the flowers are called “Dok Anchan” ( and ດອກອັນຊັນ respectively), in Vietnam they are known as “đậu biếc”. In English they go by “Butterfly Pea”, “Blue Pea” or “Asian Pigeonwings”.