Crushing moringa leaves

FRESH moringa leaves are tasty in salads, soups, on eggs and anything savoury. But the fresh leaves are fairly perishable and are ideally consumed within a day of harvesting.

The immature pods can be eaten like green beans and are often found in soups.

The dried leaf powder offers an alternative to those who can’t grow moringa in their backyard or have access to a farm. The dried powder can be added to porridge, smoothies, tea, soups and as a herb to any meal after it has been cooked.

For those who don’t like the spicy, “healthy” taste, moringa powder is also available in capsules and tea blends.

In the past year, I’ve purchased over 15 commercial moringa leaf powder products in Kenya, including ME Moringa for Life which is already exporting to Europe with organic certification. Other companies entering the export market include Botanic Treasures and Kili Natural.

New moringa products and companies are certainly on the rise, but caution for high-quality products is warranted. Most herbal products in the US and Kenya are not strictly regulated, leaving room for additions, alterations, and contamination as potential problems. Additionally the soil, farming techniques and processing of the leaves can affect its quality and nutrient content. Finding high-quality moringa powder may require a little research and contacting the company. Or you could buy some seeds and grow some of your own superheroes at home. – Carrie Waterman