Blue Lotus tea is made from the blue lily flower known by the botanical name Nelumbo nucifera. The blue water lily offers an intoxicating fragrance and is a beautiful flower that has been used in herbal miracles dating back to the ancient Egyptians, Thais, and Syrians.
The blue lotus flower was used by the ancient Egyptians as part of celebrations including in the form of blue lotus wine. The flower was considered the official flower of the sun god Ra. This plant should not be confused with another blue lily known as the blue lotus of the Nile River, made from the plant Nymphaea caerulea.
The blue lily is a water-growing plant where it floats on the surface as its roots drive deep into the earth. The plant flowers during the day and closes up at night. The sacred flower has been associated with psychedelic effects and lucid dreaming, lending to its modern uses as a mind-altering drink.
How to make a Blue Lotus Tea
Ingredients:
- Dried blue lotus flowers
- Water
- Optional: honey or sugar for sweetness, lemon or lime for flavor
Equipment:
- Teapot or saucepan
- Tea strainer or infuser
- Cups or mugs
Instructions:
- Measure out your desired amount of dried blue lotus flowers. A general rule of thumb is to use around 1-2 teaspoons of dried flowers per cup of water.
- Heat up the water in a teapot or saucepan until it reaches a rolling boil.
- Add the dried blue lotus flowers to the hot water, either directly or in a tea strainer or infuser.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the tea steep for around 10-15 minutes. You can adjust the steeping time to your preference – longer steeping will result in a stronger tea.
- Once the tea is done steeping, strain out the flowers using a tea strainer or remove the infuser from the pot.
- If desired, add honey or sugar to sweeten the tea and/or lemon or lime juice for flavor.
- Pour the blue lotus tea into cups or mugs and enjoy!
