Butterfly pea, also known as aparajita, is a climbing plant characterized by its striking blue flower. Historically, it grew wild in regions of India, including Assam.
Farmer Adoption and Economic Impact
Nilam Brahma, a resident of Anthaigwlao in Assam, initiated cultivation of butterfly pea flowers after observing local women generating income from their sale. Her initial earnings of $50 from selling dried flowers led her to invest in solar dryers. These machines reportedly enhanced drying efficiency, color preservation, and compliance with buyer quality standards.
Global Market and Regulatory Landscape
Thailand and Indonesia have been prominent growers and consumers of butterfly pea flowers. There is a reported increase in global demand for natural colorants, driven by consumer preference for natural ingredients and stricter regulations on synthetic food dyes in markets such as the US and Europe.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved butterfly pea flower as a food additive in 2021. In contrast, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) expressed safety concerns in 2022. Both the EU and UK classify the butterfly pea flower as a "novel" food, which necessitates additional approval for widespread use.
Varshika Reddy, founder of THS Impex, a natural dyes and additives exporter, states that in India, the crop is often regarded as an ornamental or medicinal plant rather than a commercial commodity. She identifies a lack of structured market awareness, government classification, and standardized pricing mechanisms as factors contributing to farmer uncertainty regarding returns. THS Impex collaborates with farmer groups in Uttar Pradesh, including women farmers, through formal contracts and comprehensive agronomy support, which encompasses guidance on farming practices, irrigation management, and crop-specific techniques.
Commercial Development and Quality Control
Nitesh Singh, based near Delhi, established Blue Tea in 2018 with the aim of developing an Indian brand sourcing butterfly peas domestically. Initially, the company imported flowers due to a reported scarcity of high-quality Indian varieties that could retain sufficient pigment and petals after sun-drying.
Over a period of seven years, Blue Tea has expanded its network from five to 600 farmers nationwide, focusing on improving both the quantity and quality of the cultivated flowers. Training and quality control are identified as significant challenges. The plucking of flowers is predominantly carried out by women, who receive training in identifying suitable flowers for harvest without damaging the plant. The drying process is critical, requiring precise temperature control to preserve the flower's value, medicinal properties, and color. Farmers perform an initial drying stage, followed by moisture checks and further drying at Blue Tea facilities, utilizing mild temperatures over extended periods.
Health Benefits Research
Research into the potential health benefits of butterfly pea flowers is ongoing. V Supriya, assistant professor at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research in Chennai, observed that prior scientific literature on butterfly pea's functional and herbal properties was limited, with most existing studies involving animal subjects.
Supriya conducted a small human study involving pre-diabetic individuals. The findings indicated that participants who consumed tea made with butterfly pea flowers demonstrated improved sugar control compared to a control group. It is anticipated that emerging evidence, particularly from human trials, may contribute to increased recognition of the flower's health benefits.