Mortar & KettleHERBAL TEA · №002
Blue Euphoric Tea Easy · 6 min · Moderate · 1 cup a bright butterfly-blue lift A steep that pours indigo and drinks like a slow exhale. Floral lavender laced with warm anise and a bright ginger edge tips toward violet at the touch of lemon. It calms the nervous system while keeping the mind clear and lightly lifted. INGREDIENTS 0.4 g butterfly pea petals (dried; ≈ 1/4 tsp loose) 0.1 g dried lavender (≈ 1/8 tsp buds) 0.05 g star anise (tiny pinch) 1 slice fresh ginger (thin) 300 ml filtered water (hot, ~90°C) Method Add the butterfly pea petals, lavender, star anise, and sliced ginger to a warmed cup. Pour over the hot water and watch it turn deep indigo. Steep, then strain. A squeeze of lemon will shift it toward violet. (5–6 min) The chemistry anthocyanins (C₁₅H₁₁O₆⁺) · blue pigment, antioxidant linalool (C₁₀H₁₈O) · floral, soothing anethole (C₁₀H₁₂O) · sweet, licorice-anise gingerol (C₁₇H₂₆O₄) · warm, pungent

Mortar & Kettle · MORTARANDKETTLE.COM

HERBAL TEA · №002

Blue Euphoric Tea

Name: Blue Euphoric Tea
Total time: 6 min
Yield: 300 cups
Ingredients: 0.4 g butterfly pea petals; 0.1 g dried lavender; 0.05 g star anise; 1 slice fresh ginger; 300 ml filtered water

a bright butterfly-blue lift

A steep that pours indigo and drinks like a slow exhale. Floral lavender laced with warm anise and a bright ginger edge tips toward violet at the touch of lemon. It calms the nervous system while keeping the mind clear and lightly lifted.

Easy6 minModerate

FloralHerbaceousCalmingFocus

Method

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Add the butterfly pea petals, lavender, star anise, and sliced ginger to a warmed cup.

▸0.4 gbutterfly pea petals▸0.1 gdried lavender▸0.05 gstar anise▸1 slicefresh ginger

Pour over the hot water and watch it turn deep indigo.

▸300 mlfiltered water

Steep, then strain. A squeeze of lemon will shift it toward violet.

5–6 min

“A good steep is chemistry with the kettle on. Mind the minutes.”

THE MORTAR & KETTLE METHOD

The chemistry

SKELETAL STRUCTURES

4 compounds carry this recipe. Here is what each one does and, where we have it, what it actually looks like.

C₁₅H₁₁O₆⁺

anthocyanins

C₁₅H₁₁O₆⁺

The pH-sensitive pigments of butterfly pea petals give this tea its deep indigo and its violet shift under acid; they carry the herbaceous color and a gentle antioxidant lift.

HerbaceousFocus

C₁₀H₁₈O

linalool

C₁₀H₁₈O

The soft floral heart of lavender; it settles the nervous system and supplies most of the cup's calming, petal-sweet aroma.

FloralCalming

C₁₀H₁₂O

anethole

C₁₀H₁₂O

The warm sweet-anise note from the star anise; it rounds the florals and adds a lingering, comforting depth.

HerbaceousCalming

C₁₇H₂₆O₄

gingerol

C₁₇H₂₆O₄

The bright pungent bite of fresh ginger; it wakes the palate and lends a stimulating, focused warmth beneath the floral surface.

HerbaceousFocus