A bread like this has never been seen before!

Today, on World Bread Day 2024, we present PAN AZZURRO, a bread like no other. And we created it!

This magic isn’t achieved with artificial colorings, but with a natural, antioxidant-rich ingredient extracted from the blue flower of the “butterfly pea,” a legume native to Asia. Of course, our PAN AZZURRO is not just colorful—it also contains other premium ingredients like pumpkin seeds, spelt flakes, and barley flakes. Finally, we top it off with beautiful blue poppy seeds, adding a delightful crunch and a unique touch of elegance.

With PAN AZZURRO, you can experience the magic of color and flavor in every bite.

But let’s get to know the “butterfly pea” flower a little better.

Its botanical name is *Clitoria Ternatea*, also known in English as “Butterfly Pea.” It grows from a climbing plant native to the tropical regions of Asia, known for its vibrant blue flowers with purplish hues. It grows wild in tropical and subtropical areas, thrives in well-drained soil, and loves sun exposure. It’s used for ornamental, culinary, and medicinal purposes. In other languages, it’s known as *butterfly pea*, *blue pea* (English), *pois bleu*, *pois papillon* (French), or *guisante mariposa*, *flor de guisante azul* (Spanish).

It is also a very popular ornamental plant thanks to the beauty of its flowers.

Here are some characteristics and curiosities about the flower:

APPEARANCE

Its flowers have very distinctive features:

- Color: deep blue, sometimes shifting to violet, with slight variations in hue. White varieties exist, but the blue ones are the most well-known. The blue color is due to anthocyanins, natural pigments with antioxidant properties. When steeped in water, the butterfly pea flower infusions change from blue to purple in the presence of acidic substances like lemon juice.

- Shape: the flower has a butterfly-like shape, which is the origin of its common name.

PROPERTIES

Its properties are numerous:

- Rich in antioxidants: as mentioned, it contains anthocyanins—the same pigments found in blueberries and many red or purple fruits—which combat oxidative stress and protect cells from aging.

- Improves memory and focus: used in Ayurvedic medicine to enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

- Relaxing and anti-stress effects: butterfly pea tea helps the body manage stress and promotes relaxation.

- Heart health: helps lower blood pressure and improve circulation thanks to its vasodilating properties.

- Regulates blood sugar: some studies suggest it may help control blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for those with diabetes or insulin resistance.

- Detox and digestive aid: stimulates liver function and helps eliminate toxins, improving digestion and supporting a healthy gut.

- Strengthens hair and skin: thanks to anthocyanins, it promotes collagen production, enhancing skin elasticity and hair health.

We use it in PAN AZZURRO because it’s a natural ingredient that gives the bread its distinctive and beautiful blue hue.

OTHER USES

The flowers are used as a natural food coloring, especially in beverages and desserts. When steeped in water, they release a deep blue pigment, which turns pink or purple when mixed with lemon juice or other acidic ingredients.

In Thai and Malaysian cuisine, it is used to make the famous blue tea, also known as “Blue Tea” or “Butterfly Pea Tea.” The tea also changes color when lemon is added, creating a spectacular visual effect.

ACTIVE COMPOUND

Its benefits come from the presence of anthocyanins. But what are they?

Anthocyanins are natural pigments belonging to the flavonoid family and are responsible for the red, blue, and purple colors in many fruits and vegetables. In addition to their coloring effect, they have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Some of the most common foods that contain them include:

Fruits: Blueberries (one of the richest sources), blackberries, black raspberries, blackcurrants, red and black grapes, plums.

Vegetables: Red cabbage, eggplant (especially the skin), purple potatoes, purple asparagus, black and purple beans.

Other foods: Black and red rice, butterfly pea flower (of course), red onions.

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The product code is 1271.

It is packaged in 15.5 kg bags, containing 15 kg of specialty flour and 500 g of blue poppy seeds for decoration, packed in a separate sachet inside the bag.

PAN AZZURRO is a registered trademark of ESKA s.n.c.