What Does Moringa Taste Like?

Moringa is a plant that’s been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its healing properties. It’s become popular in the Western world as a superfood with a reputation for numerous health benefits. If you’ve heard of it, you might logically ask: What does moringa taste like and how can I add it to my diet?

To get the answers to those questions and more, read on.

What is moringa? 

Moringa oleifera is a nutritious plant that’s native to India, Pakistan, and parts of Africa. It goes by various names besides moringa, including tree of life, miracle tree, drumstick tree, horseradish tree, and ben oil tree.

In some parts of the world, moringa is a valuable food source because of its nutritional content. The leaves and pods of moringa are good sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, and a wealth of antioxidants. Most parts of the tree are edible, fresh or dried, and safe to use for medicinal purposes.

What does moringa taste like?

Moringa has a slightly bitter flavor that’s been compared to spinach, asparagus, horseradish, and matcha. The bitterness isn’t one-sided, though. It’s balanced with a delicate sweetness and earthiness.

The taste of moringa can also vary, depending on which part of the plant you consume:

• Moringa leaves have a more delicate, pleasant flavor. 
• Moringa seeds, when roasted, taste like green peas. 
• Moringa powder is earthy.

If you don’t like bitter foods, you might not love the taste of moringa on its own. But don’t worry — with a bit of creativity, you can improve on the taste and realize moringa’s superfood benefits. Try these moringa hacks:

• Add moringa to smoothies. Blend it with sweeter ingredients like bananas or berries. 
• Make moringa tea. The taste will be milder than consuming the leaves or powder directly. You can also add a bit of honey to your moringa tea. 
• Roast moringa to play up the plant’s nutty flavor. 
• Add small amounts of moringa to soups or stews. Other flavors in the dish should moderate the plant’s bitterness. 

The health benefits of moringa 

So, what are those superfood benefits moringa can deliver? Moringa is thought to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and support cardiovascular health. It is also known to have anti-cancer properties and may help regulate blood sugar levels.

1. Boosts immunity 

Moringa contains high levels of antioxidants like vitamin C, beta-carotene, and quercetin. Studies have shown these compounds can improve overall health and boost the immune system. Additionally, moringa leaf extract has demonstrated immune-boosting effects in animal studies. Further human studies are needed to confirm these findings.

2. Reduces inflammation 

Moringa has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat inflammation-related conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and bronchitis. The plant contains high levels of anti-inflammatory compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and glucosinolates. Various studies show these compounds can fight inflammation and reduce oxidative stress. Moringa’s vitamin C content — as much as an orange — can also reduce inflammation. 

3. Improves digestion 

Moringa is believed to improve digestion for a few reasons. One, it is rich in fiber. Fiber helps regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation. Two, moringa contains compounds that stimulate the production of digestive enzymes. Those enzymes work to break down food and help your body absorb nutrients. And finally, the anti-inflammatory properties of moringa also reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. That can improve overall digestion and reduce bloating. 

4. Supports cardiovascular health 

Moringa contains compounds like quercetin and chlorogenic acid. These may help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Some studies have also shown that moringa may help improve cholesterol levels and reduce plaque buildup in the arteries. 

5. Fights cancer 

Flavonoids and phenolic acids, found in moringa, inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells by neutralizing free radicals, reducing inflammation, and preventing DNA damage. Moringa also contains quercetin, kaempferol, and niazimicin, and studies show these also have anti-cancer properties. Additionally, moringa’s immune-boosting properties may also help the body fight off cancer cells. 

6. Regulates blood sugar 

Moringa may regulate blood sugar, thanks to its high fiber content and chlorogenic acid. Fiber slows the absorption of carbohydrates in the body and chlorogenic acid may help lower blood sugar levels. 

Studies have shown moringa extract may help increase insulin secretion and improve insulin sensitivity, which further supports its use as a natural blood sugar regulator. 

How to work moringa into your diet 

Moringa’s taste and health benefits are intriguing, right? So let’s talk about how you can work moringa into your diet. And if you’re wondering about when you might start to feel healthier after consuming moringa, see this resource to answer the question: how long does it take for moringa to work?

Here are 10 ways you can start eating moringa. 

1. Fresh leaves 

Add fresh, raw moringa leaves to salads, smoothies, sandwiches, wraps, stews, and soups. You can also steam or stir-fry moringa leaves and eat by themselves or with other vegetables. 

2. Powder

You can grind moringa leaves into a powder that will enhance the flavor and nutritional profile of many dishes. 

3. Tea 

Make your own caffeine-free tea by steeping fresh moringa or moringa leaf powder in boiling water. 

4. Oil 

You can buy moringa oil for topical use to treat various skin and hair conditions. Health food stores and Amazon also carry moringa oil for use in cooking. 

5. Roots 

You can boil moringa roots and eat them as a vegetable side dish. 

6. Seeds 

Roast moringa seeds for a healthy, tasty snack. 

7. Flowers 

Moringa flowers are edible — add them to salads or use them to make tea. 

8. Capsules 

If you don’t like the flavor of moringa or you can’t find it fresh near you, you can always invest in moringa supplements. They’re readily available on Amazon.

Moringa — bitter is better for you 

Moringa is a bitter-tasting plant that’s native to the sub-Himalayan areas of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. In developing countries, the leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are used to make medicine. In Western cultures, moringa is gaining popularity as the next big superfood because it’s linked to a wide range of health benefits.

You can consume fresh moringa or add it to your diet using powders, capsules, teas, or oils. 

Moringa FAQs

Last update on 2023-06-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API