Zoom Chat – Sunday 27 March – Part 1

We are grateful to all those who participated in our lively Zoom chat on Moringa Powder – its many benefits, ways to use it, and tips on producing it.

Hester Kinnear, South Africa

We began our discussion with Hester Kinnear from South Africa.

HESTER says: “I started my moringa about 7 years ago in Limpopo province at a small village. I’ve planted my own moringa seeds and started growing them and doing my own harvesting. Unfortunately about 5 years ago I had to relocate to Pretoria and couldn’t do my own moringa here anymore. But soon I started to get some growers, mainly from Limpopo, and I am promoting their products.

“My passion is about moringa and the uses for it. There are many people who are using moringa, but everybody is climbing on the bandwagon, and want to plant moringa. But I’ve got about 10 growers, mainly from Limpopo, and they have got several quality moringa products. These products include:

  • Moringa Instant Porridge (strawberry flavour) – also put in smoothies;
  • Moringa Nutribars for energy;
  • Moringa tea in 2 flavours – Moringa and Moringa infused with Rooibos;
  • Moringa Smoothie sachets – Moringa Cinnamon, and Moringa Ginger;
  • Moringa Soup Powders in 50g sachets.

“Most important – Products must be good quality and affordability. My aim is to promote South African brands from our local growers, and we are trying our best to make quality products for the global market.”

One of Hester’s accolades is that she was nominated as Ambassador for MDASA (Moringa Development Association of South Africa), which includes a lot of researchers and other noted people. We congratulate her on such an honour.

Abdul Kareem Yasin – Jordan

Abdul Kareem is from Aqaba City in East Jordan on the Red Sea, and he share with us his moringa experience.

“I am only a user of moringa. I am not a producer. I use moringa products by myself. I plant it in my home and make harvesting and make moringa powder. I use various parts of moringa, i.e., powder, leaves and seeds.

“I want to mention one important common point for all moringa producers, users and producers, and that is before you produce moringa, you should use moringa so that you find out the benefits of moringa for themselves, then produce and market it.

“Now I am using moringa as food. In Jordan many farmers are dealing with moringa, but we need to be promoting this miracle tree. We need to make more efforts to explore the moringa benefits to all the people.

“Now many different types of moringa are used. I used moringa in my home and I initiated a campaign in Jordan named “Plant It in Your Home”. The campaign started before one year and it is growing up rapidly. I’m working to expand this campaign in all cities of Jordan, and made a promotion for moringa. I also posted photos on my Facebook page, visiting where the moringa has grown up in many areas of Jordan.

“We need to make efforts from the government, from the people, from all people who know the moringa benefits. Now we are going to expand the initiative to promoting moringa benefits, especially of moringa powder. Moringa powder may be the easy way to use it and its rich nutrient benefits.

“Today I ate my breakfast moringa powder with thyme. I mix moringa powder with thyme and have it in my breakfast. Some other ways I use moringa:

  • With coffee;
  • with juice cocktail or add to smoothie;
  • mix with peppers;
  • sprinkle on all types of food.

“Moringa is truly a SUPERFOOD. Tell friends and family to use moringa powder on food.

“It is also important to improve the quality of moringa production, and more innovations for better quality and more different moringa products.”

Amit Barikeri, India.

We are grateful to have Amit from India join us. He answered a question regarding the dosage of moringa powder.

As some people may react if they take too much powder to start with, he suggests to start with small amounts, e.g., 1/4 teaspoon, and gradually increase it, depending on how one’s body performs.

He also shared about his Moringa Mango Pickles. As they have plenty of mangoes in India, his mum had made lots of pickles from the mangoes. Amit then adds moringa powder to make Moringa Mango Pickles. He says that moringa powder is also a natural preservative, so it helps the fermentation process and extends the life of the pickles.