Homemade Flavorful Butterfly Pea Focaccia

Have you ever seen bread that's as beautiful as it is delicious? If not, you must try this butterfly pea focaccia. The focaccia boasts a vibrant blue hue that's sure to captivate your taste buds as much as your eyes. Made with traditional focaccia ingredients like flour, yeast, and olive oil, butterfly pea focaccia gets its unique color from the natural pigment found in butterfly pea flowers. This edible flower, often used in herbal teas, imparts a subtle floral flavor and light shade of blue to the bread, and a light blue. To the focaccia, the butterfly pea flowers are steeped in hot water to extract their vibrant blue color. The resulting infusion is then used to hydrate the yeast in the dough, giving the focaccia its characteristic hue. The bread is then baked to a golden brown, revealing its stunning blue interior. Serve it as a side to soup, or enjoy on its own dipped in olive oil.  It’s the perfect bread to make for guests on a special occasion.

What Is Butterfly Pea Focaccia?

Butterfly pea focaccia is a visually striking bread that combines the traditional Italian focaccia with the vibrant hue and subtle flavor of butterfly pea flowers. This fusion dish offers a unique and flavorful experience that's sure to impress.

Focaccia, a flatbread originating from Italy, dates back to ancient Roman times. It was often enjoyed as a simple snack or served with various toppings. Over the centuries, focaccia has evolved into a versatile and beloved culinary staple, with regional variations found throughout Italy.

While the exact origins of butterfly pea tea are uncertain, it is believed to have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and beverages in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand and Malaysia. The vibrant blue color of the tea, caused by a natural pigment called anthocyanin, has made it a popular ingredient in various culinary and cosmetic applications.

Butterfly pea focaccia incorporates butterfly pea flower tea into the dough, resulting in a stunning blue hue. The tea adds a subtle floral flavor to the bread, complementing the savory notes of the olive oil and herbs used in focaccia.

Pro Tips

• For the best color and flavor, steep the butterfly pea flowers in hot water for at least 10 minutes.
• Choose high-quality flour, yeast, and olive oil to ensure a delicious and flavorful focaccia.
• Kneading the dough helps to develop the gluten, resulting in a chewy and satisfying texture. Allow the dough to rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size.
• Focaccia is incredibly versatile. Try adding various toppings like olives, rosemary, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
• A generous brushing of olive oil before baking helps to create a crispy and flavorful crust.
• Keep a close eye on the focaccia in the oven, and remove it when it's golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
• Allow the focaccia to cool slightly before slicing to prevent it from crumbling.

What Is Butterfly Pea Focaccia?

Butterfly pea focaccia is a unique type of bread made with butterfly pea flower tea, giving it a vibrant blue color and a subtle floral flavor.

What Does Butterfly Pea Focaccia Taste Like?

Butterfly pea focaccia has a rich, savory flavor similar to traditional focaccia. The butterfly pea tea adds a subtle floral note, creating a unique and delightful taste.

Can You Eat Butterfly Pea Flowers?

Yes, butterfly pea flowers are edible and safe to consume. They are often used in herbal teas and culinary applications.

How Do You Serve Butterfly Pea Focaccia?

Butterfly pea focaccia can be enjoyed on its own or served with various toppings, such as olive oil, herbs, cheese, or vegetables. It's also delicious as a sandwich bread or for dipping into olive oil.

Can You Make Butterfly Pea Focaccia Gluten-Free?

Yes, you can make gluten-free butterfly pea focaccia by using gluten-free flour. Just be sure to use a gluten-free yeast and adjust the baking time accordingly.

Where Can I Buy Butterfly Pea Flowers?

Butterfly pea flowers can be found at some specialty grocery stores, health food stores, and online retailers.

More Focaccia Breads For You!

Potato Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Cherry Tomato and Olives Focaccia

Onion Focaccia

Stuffed Focaccia

Ricotta Spinach Focaccia Bread

Stuffed Zucchini Focaccia

How to Store Butterfly Pea Focaccia

Sourdough Focaccia is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge (in an airtight container) for up to 2 days. If you want to enjoy it crispy, reheat it in the oven (the microwave will make it soggy).

How To Make Butterfly Pea Focaccia

Prepare the tea infusion by steeping the butterfly pea flower tea in hot water for 10 minutes.

In a separate bowl, combine the warm tea infusion, sugar, and dry yeast. Let the mixture stand for a few minutes until the yeast becomes frothy and active.

Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the activated yeast mixture.

Stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).

Punch down the risen dough and knead it briefly again. Cover and allow to rise for another hour.

Shape the dough into a desired shape and place it in a greased baking pan. Cover and let it rise for another 30 minutes.

Drizzle the risen dough with olive oil and use your fingers to make indentations in the dough.

Sprinkle with bay leaves and salt.

Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.

Remove the baked focaccia from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.