Butterfly Pea Lemon Jelly Cups (Printable Version)
Delicate tea jelly cups change from blue to purple with lemon, offering a colorful, zesty treat.
# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Butterfly-Pea Tea Base
01 - 2 cups (480 ml) water
02 - 2 tablespoons dried butterfly-pea flowers or 2 blue pea flower tea bags
03 - 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar
→ Jelly Mixture
04 - 2 teaspoons agar-agar powder or 1 tablespoon agar flakes (NOT gelatin)
05 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) cold water
→ Lemon Layer
06 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
07 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, for extra zing)
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or more sugar, to taste
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add butterfly-pea flowers or tea bags and steep for 5–8 minutes until a deep blue color develops. Strain and discard the flowers or remove tea bags.
02 - Stir in 1/4 cup sugar while the tea is still hot, mixing until dissolved.
03 - In another saucepan, combine agar-agar powder with 1/2 cup cold water. Stir well, then bring to a gentle boil, whisking constantly for 2–3 minutes until agar fully dissolves. The mixture should be clear and thickened slightly.
04 - Pour the hot butterfly-pea tea into the agar mixture. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
05 - Pour the blue jelly mixture evenly into 4 clear serving cups or glasses. Let cool to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator until fully set, about 1–2 hours.
06 - Just before serving, drizzle 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice over each jelly cup. Watch as the color shifts from blue to purple! Garnish with lemon zest if desired and a drizzle of honey or extra sugar for added sweetness.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Easy to make with just a handful of simple ingredients
- All natural color that shifts from blue to purple thanks to science
- Vegan and gluten free so everyone can enjoy
- Perfect make ahead dessert for parties and celebrations
02 -
- Low in calories with no fat or cholesterol
- Rich in antioxidants from butterfly-pea flowers
- Completely plant based and allergen friendly
03 -
- Steep the butterfly-pea flowers long enough for a deep blue but not so long the tea gets bitter.
- Only add the lemon juice at serving time for the best color change demonstration.
- Do not skip whisking agar constantly or you may get lumps instead of a smooth jelly.