What Is Moringa?

Moringa is Moringa oleifera, a fast-growing tree native to the foothills of the Himalayas and now grown across South Asia, Africa and South-East Asia.

What is moringa: the tree

Moringa oleifera grows quickly in hot climates and tolerates dry conditions. It is known by many names: drumstick tree, for its long seed pods; horseradish tree, for the taste of its roots; and malunggay in the Philippines.

The leaf powder

Moringa powder is made by drying the leaves and milling them into a fine green powder. It has a grassy, slightly bitter flavour.

How moringa is used in cooking

In South and South-East Asian cooking, fresh moringa leaves go into soups, curries and stews, and the young pods are cooked like a vegetable. In the Philippines, malunggay leaves are a common addition to soups such as tinola.

Moringa in Australia

Moringa leaf has not been approved for sale as a food in Australia. See can you buy moringa powder in Australia.