Butterfly pea flowers, called Shanghupushpam in Malayalam, are most commonly spotted on our backyard fences. Well known for its brilliant blue hue with sharp white lines, these flowers have long been recognized as enduring symbols of beauty within the realm of literature. The flowers are also known to have immense health benefits and are used as a key ingredient in various Ayurvedic medicines.
The herbal tea made by brewing the butterfly pea flower is regarded as a medicine for several health issues. The rich anti-occidental properties of this beverage are beneficial to the skin and the hair. The presence of acetylcholine helps improve the functioning of the brain and memory. The flower also serves as a rich source of peptides and chlorides and helps in treating cancer. This little flower is also used as a medicine for body pain, hypertension, diabetes, and even hormone imbalances.
It’s also versatile and associated with very few side effects and hence has a great potential addition to your diet. But what about giving a blue twist to your favourite dish by using the flower as an ingredient? Among the latest experiments making waves online is the blue dosa, which is prepared by adding butterfly pea flower extract to the batter. A video of this shared by Jyothi Kalburgi, an Instagram influencer, is now making waves on the internet.
It begins with her boiling water and putting in a few of the flowers, which turns the water into a deep blue colour. Next, this deep blue extract is strained into a bowl, and dosa batter is added to it. After combining, the batter gets a blue tinge. A tawa or pan is then placed onto the stove to make the dosa. A spoonful of batter is ladled and spread circularly. The crisp, beautiful dosa is later plated along with chutneys.
The video has garnered lakhs of viewership. Many have commented it’s a healthy dish, while a few others have expressed curiosity to taste the dish. In the description, Jyothi is also seen stating that though the dosa looks blue, the taste remains almost the same. So, would you like to experiment with these butterfly pea flower recipes?
