707. Moringa and Mint Iced Tea

MEGA BLOGGING MARATHON -SEPT 2017

   What is Moringa? Its considered as the ‘new’ superfood with plenty of health benefits. Moringa is what we know as drumstick tree, the tree of life, horseradish tree, ben oil tree etc. One can consume the pods, flowers, seeds and leaves of this tree. India is the largest producer of moringa. My all time favorite is making the pods or sarghvo as its called in Gujarati, in a yogurt and chickpea flour gravy.

   Moringa powder is a rich source of protein, 28g in every 100g. It’s one of the few plants that contains what is known as the complete protein. It easily can compete with animal based protein. It contains all the essential amino acids. Besides being rich in protein it is also rich in Vitamins A,C and E, calcium and potassium. It fights free radicals in the body to and therefore helps to keep the organs healthy, fights inflammation which is good to fight inflammatory diseases like arthritis, respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases.  It also helps to lower blood sugar and bad cholesterol. It also helps to balance hormones in the body and improves digestive health.

Try and include moringa powder in your daily diet. Add it to smoothies, oats, salads, soups, in milk or as a herbal tea. Adding fresh moringa leaves, flowers or the pods to your dals, curries, sabjis, soups  etc is beneficial health wise.

Protein source in this recipe is moringa powder

By no means am I claiming or supporting any sort of fad diet that are the latest craze in the fitness world. I’m just trying to include non meat non fish dishes from which you can get your protein source.

 

 

MORINGA AND MINT ICED TEA

Serves 2

1 cup water

¼ cup fresh mint leaves

1-2 tsp moringa powder

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp honey or any sweetener of your choice

a generous pinch of rock salt

lots of ice cubes

1. Put the mint leaves and water in a blender.
2. Process till the leaves are crushed completely.
3. If you like you can strain the mint water or leave it as it is.
4. If you have strained it then return it to the blender.
5. Add mooring powder, honey, lemon juice and salt.
6. Process for a few seconds so that the moringa powder gets blended completely.
7. Pour the liquid out into a jug and chill it in the fridge for 1-2 hrs.
8. Just before serving fill 2 glasses with ice cubes.
9. Pour the moringa and mint tea over the ice cubes.
10. Serve immediately. Enjoy a cool refreshing healthy drink.

• Some articles claim that adding moringa powder to hot water destroys the nutrients. To be on the safe side I don’t add it to anything that is really hot.
• Add fresh herbs of your choice like basil, tulsi, etc.