Blue Matcha Latte Recipe: Butterfly Pea & Matcha

Why not try making a "Blue Matcha Latte" with a beautiful contrast of blue and green?

This eye-catching dessert drink features three colorful layers of butterfly pea syrup, cold milk, and matcha, topped with a rich honey cream.

But there's more to this latte than just its stunning appearance.

Butterfly pea flowers contain anthocyanins, while matcha is rich in polyphenols such as catechins. 

Both have been studied for their antioxidant properties.

In this page, we will explore the antioxidant compounds found in butterfly pea flowers and matcha, their potential connection to anti-aging, and how to make a beautiful Blue Matcha Latte at home.

What Is a Blue Matcha Latte?

A Blue Matcha Latte is a colorful drink that combines the vibrant blue of butterfly pea flowers with the rich green of Japanese matcha.

Butterfly pea is a flowering plant known for its beautiful blue blossoms and is widely enjoyed in Southeast Asia.

When steeped in hot water, the flowers produce a vivid blue herbal tea. Their natural pigments are also used to add color to drinks and desserts.

Although they come from a different plant than traditional green tea matcha, they have attracted attention for their antioxidant compounds and potential health benefits.

Butterfly Pea and Matcha: Antioxidants and Anti-Aging

Butterfly pea flowers and matcha contain different types of polyphenols.

Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found in plants, some of which are known for their antioxidant properties.

The table below compares the key characteristics of butterfly pea flowers and Japanese matcha.

Feature	Butterfly Pea	Matcha
Source	Butterfly pea flowers	Green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis)
Color	Vibrant blue	Vibrant green
Main Polyphenols	Anthocyanins (including ternatins)	Catechins (including EGCG)
Antioxidant Activity	Reported mainly in laboratory and preclinical studies	Extensively studied in laboratory and preclinical research
Caffeine	Naturally caffeine-free	Contains caffeine
Other Characteristics	Changes color depending on pH	Contains L-theanine

Anthocyanins, the natural pigments responsible for butterfly pea flowers' vibrant blue color, are a type of polyphenol also found in blueberries and red cabbage.

Meanwhile, matcha contains catechins, including EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). 

Can Butterfly Pea and Matcha Support Anti-Aging?

One of the key factors often discussed in relation to anti-aging is "oxidative stress".

Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's ability to neutralize them through its antioxidant defense systems.

Researchers have studied the role of oxidative stress in cellular damage and various biological changes associated with aging.

Anthocyanins found in butterfly pea flowers and catechins found in matcha have both demonstrated antioxidant activity in scientific studies.

However, there is currently insufficient evidence from human studies to conclude that drinking butterfly pea flowers and matcha together can prevent aging or maintain youthful skin.

While these ingredients contain compounds of scientific interest, maintaining a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle remains more important than relying on any single drink for anti-aging benefits.

Unlike regular brewed green tea, matcha is made from finely ground tea leaves, allowing you to consume the whole leaf rather than just an infusion.

Blue Matcha Latte Ingredients

In this recipe, we will make a beautiful three-layer latte featuring the vibrant blue of butterfly pea syrup, the creamy white of milk, and the rich green of Japanese matcha.

To finish, we will top it with a smooth honey cream for an extra touch of sweetness and a dessert-like presentation.

For the Butterfly Pea Syrup

• Dried butterfly pea flowers: 2g
• Hot water: 40ml
• Granulated sugar: 25g

For the Matcha Latte

• Japanese Pure Matcha: 2g
• Hot water (70–80°C / 158–176°F): 40g
• Milk: 120ml
• Ice cubes, as needed

For the Honey Cream Topping

• Heavy whipping cream: 40ml
• Honey: 10g

How to Make a Blue Matcha Latte

STEP 1: Make the Butterfly Pea Syrup

First, prepare the blue syrup that will form the bottom layer of the latte.

1. Place 2g of dried butterfly pea flowers in a heatproof container.
2. Pour in 40ml of hot water and let the flowers steep for about 5 minutes.
3. Strain out the flowers, leaving a vibrant blue infusion.
4. While the infusion is still warm, add 25g of granulated sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
5. Allow the syrup to cool.

Adding sugar increases the density of the syrup, making it easier to create a distinct blue layer at the bottom of the glass.

STEP 2: Prepare the Honey Cream

Next, prepare the honey cream topping for the latte.

1. Pour 40ml of heavy whipping cream into a chilled bowl.
2. Add 10g of honey.
3. Gently whisk until the cream begins to thicken.

Avoid whipping the cream until stiff peaks form. Instead, aim for a smooth, silky consistency that slowly flows off the whisk.

STEP 3: Whisk the Matcha

Sift 2g of matcha into a bowl or matcha bowl.

Add 40ml of hot water (70–80°C / 158–176°F) and whisk thoroughly with a bamboo whisk until smooth and free of lumps.

If you don't have a bamboo whisk, you can use a milk frother instead.

For more detailed instructions, check out our guide: How to Prepare Matcha Tea: Bamboo Whisk, Milk Frother & Bottle.

STEP 4: Create the Blue and White Layers

Pour 20–30ml of the blue syrup prepared in Step 1 into a clear glass.

Next, gently add the ice cubes.

Slowly pour 120ml of cold milk over the ice to avoid mixing the layers.

If the syrup and milk have a sufficient difference in density, you'll see a vibrant blue layer at the bottom of the glass, topped by a distinct white layer of milk.

STEP 5: Add the Matcha Layer

Slowly pour the prepared matcha from Step 3 over the ice.

As the vibrant green matcha spreads across the milk, you'll create a beautiful three-layer latte with blue, white, and green layers.

Pouring the matcha gently helps keep the layers separate and creates a more defined contrast between the colors.

STEP 6: Top with Honey Cream and Butterfly Pea Flower

Finally, slowly pour the honey cream prepared in Step 2 over the top of the latte.

For an extra eye-catching finish, let a little cream gently drip over the rim of the glass.

Garnish with one edible butterfly pea flower.

Your beautiful Blue Matcha Latte is now ready to enjoy!

With every sip, you'll experience the sweetness of butterfly pea syrup, the creaminess of milk, the slightly bitter notes of matcha, and the delicate sweetness of honey cream.

Tips for Making the Perfect Blue Matcha Latte

1. Use Concentrated Butterfly Pea Syrup

To achieve a vibrant blue color, it's important to brew a concentrated butterfly pea infusion.

If the infusion is too weak, the blue color may become less noticeable once you add the milk.

Adding enough sugar to the syrup also increases its density, making it easier to create a distinct blue layer beneath the milk.

2. Pour Slowly to Create Beautiful Layers

One of the highlights of a Blue Matcha Latte is the beautiful contrast between its blue, white, and green layers.

Slowly pouring the matcha over the ice helps keep the layers separate and creates a cleaner, more defined appearance.

Keep in mind that the final result depends on factors such as sugar concentration, temperature, and density. If you're making this latte for photography or serving guests, it's worth doing a test run first.

3. Adjust the Honey Cream Consistency

If the honey cream is too thin, it may blend into the latte. If it's too thick, it won't spread smoothly over the top.

For the best results, lightly whip the cream until it thickens but still flows slowly.

Letting a little cream drip over the rim of the glass adds an elegant, dessert-like finishing touch.

Questions About Blue Matcha Latte

Q1. What Does Blue Matcha Latte Taste Like?

Butterfly pea flowers have a very mild flavor, with little bitterness or acidity.

In this recipe, the sweetness of butterfly pea syrup combines with creamy milk and the slightly bitter, earthy notes of matcha.

The honey cream topping adds extra sweetness, making this latte taste more like a dessert.

Q2. Is Butterfly Pea the Same as Blue Matcha?

Butterfly pea flowers are sometimes marketed as "Blue Matcha," but they come from a different plant than traditional Japanese matcha.

Japanese matcha is made from green tea leaves, while butterfly pea products are made from blue flowers.

Our Blue Matcha Latte is an original recipe that combines both ingredients in one colorful drink.

Q3. Does Blue Matcha Latte Contain Caffeine?

Butterfly pea flower tea is naturally caffeine-free.

However, Japanese matcha contains caffeine.

Since this Blue Matcha Latte recipe includes real matcha, the finished drink contains caffeine.

Q4. Why Does Butterfly Pea Change Color?

The natural blue pigments in butterfly pea flowers change color depending on the acidity (pH) of the liquid.

For example, adding an acidic ingredient like lemon juice can turn the blue color purple or pink.

In this recipe, we skip the lemon juice to preserve the vibrant blue color of the butterfly pea syrup.

Make Your Blue Matcha Latte with Japanese Pure Matcha

MATCHA LAB's Japanese Pure Matcha is made from 100% Japanese-grown tea leaves and is ideal for making matcha lattes and desserts.

• 100% Japanese Matcha: Pure matcha made exclusively from tea leaves grown in Japan.
• Rich Flavor and Pleasant Bitterness: Offers the authentic taste of Japanese matcha, pairing perfectly with milk and sweet syrups.
• Tested for Pesticide Residues: Laboratory testing confirmed that no residues were detected for the pesticides included in the analysis.

In this Blue Matcha Latte recipe, the vibrant blue of butterfly pea flowers combines with the beautiful green of Japanese matcha to create a visually stunning drink.

The recipe also brings together two different types of polyphenols: anthocyanins from butterfly pea flowers and catechins from matcha.

Try making your own café-style Blue Matcha Latte at home with Japanese Pure Matcha!