Move over matcha, there’s another superfood in town. Moringa tea is slowly gaining popularity not only in the United States but throughout the entire world for its dense nutritional benefits. Moringa tea is available in two forms, powdered like matcha or whole dried leaf tea. The taste of moringa tea is up for debate as the processing and storage greatly affects the taste. Moringa tea should taste, for the lack of a better term, “green.” The flavor should be bold, bitter, and should have a peppery bite to it.
Moringa Tea Trivia
- The moringa tree has also been called the “Miracle Tree” because all of its parts are used for nutritional and medicinal purposes.
- Moringa was used in the making of perfumes in ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt.
- Moringa is traditionally used to combat anemia due to its high iron content.
- In parts of Africa, the moringa tree is also known as the “Never Die Tree” because once it takes root, it will grow back no matter how harsh the environment may be.
Moringa Tea Buying Guide
Moringa tea comes in two forms, powdered and dried leaves that are usually packed in tea bags. While nutritionally, they contain the same amounts of vitamins and minerals, the powdered form has a lot more because of its concentrated form. The main difference between the two would be price and taste.
Tea from moringa powder tends to have a more robust, earthier “green” taste while the tea made from whole leaves has more of a milder, more traditional tea flavor. The best way to describe it would be to make an analogy with coffee. The powdered moringa tea can be compared with espresso, meaning it is more potent and more concentrated while the whole leaf can be compared with a regular cup of brewed coffee. Both have different flavor profiles and ways of enjoying it, but both get the job done nonetheless.
Of course, another thing to consider when buying moringa tea is to check whether it is sourced locally or if it is imported. Locally sourced moringa tea is more often better than imported ones as local sources have stricter quality controls as opposed to those being grown in remote countries where there is no quality control and accountability.
Moringa Tea Production & Farming in Texas
The Moringa tree can thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 and 10, which makes it perfect for growing almost anywhere in Texas. Given the hardy nature of the tree, it may lose its foliage during the colder months, but it will surely grow back when the warm weather rolls back in. A lot of small to medium-sized growers plant and produce moringa tea that can be purchased in local farmers’ markets and specialty stores. A quick local search will show several local moringa tea producers that you can order online and have it delivered to your door.
Why support local moringa tea producers? Simple. By supporting our local Texan producers, you’re giving back to the community. Not only will you ensure that you’re getting the best quality moringa tea, but you’re also saving the environment by bypassing the heavy manufacturing costs and environmental impacts that importation adds on.
Enjoying Moringa Tea
To prepare moringa tea from powder, use as little, or as much as you can tolerate. It’s just like making instant coffee or tea. It might be a little tough to dissolve moringa powder, so if you have a small whisk, then it makes the job easier.
To make moringa tea from whole leaves, steep it like you would any other whole leaf tea.
You can also use moringa tea powder like you would use spirulina powder. Simply add a teaspoon or two to any beverage or dish to give it a superfood infusion.
Storage:
To store moringa tea, just keep it in an airtight container at room temperature, and it should last for a long time. Do not refrigerate or freeze the moringa tea as it may get damaged and lose its nutritional content.
Making Your Own Moringa Tea:
If you have a moringa tree and you want to make your own moringa powder for teas and other use, then the process is quite simple. It’s a bit time-consuming, but anyone can do it.
Step 1:
Cut off whole branches of the tree (don’t worry, they’ll grow back!)
Step 2:
Bunch up the branches and hang them in a dry location that is protected from the sun.
Step 3:
Give them a quick hosing down to remove any dust or stuck particles.
Step 4:
Wait. They will dry off in about a week or so.
Step 5:
Once the leaves fall off easily and crumbles easily, then it is ready.
Step 6:
Remove the leaves from the branches and take out any small branches, sticks, and other debris.
Step 7:
Use a blender or grinder to turn them into powder. After blending, sift through the finest mesh you can find.
Step 8:
Store in airtight containers, and you now have moringa powder that can be used for tea!
Nutrition:
The number of vitamins and minerals that moringa contains is too many to list, and it would take a few pages just to list them. What we will do instead is put in a comparative analysis of how much vitamins and nutrients you can get from moringa when compared to fruits/vegetables that are well known for a specific vitamin or mineral.
- Moringa contains more Vitamin E than Spinach
- Moringa contains more Vitamin C than Oranges
- More Vitamin A than Carrots
- More Potassium than Bananas
- More Calcium and Protein than Milk
- More Iron than Almonds
- Contains 90 different nutrients and minerals
- Has more than 20 essential amino acids and antioxidants
As one health expert coined it, moringa is just like Kale, on steroids.
