Moringa trees really do like it hot and humid. A perfect example of this are the trees in my yard. They are covered with flowers and seed pods. It has been very hot and humid on the East Coast of Central Florida the past couple of months.
I have realized there is no possible way I will be able to plant all the seeds that are being produced so I decided to do some research on if the seeds can be eaten. I found out indeed the mature seeds can be eaten but you must be extremely careful and only eat them in small quantities at first until your body gets used to them. They can also be used in soups and stews. Here is a short article on eating the seeds from the company I first purchased my seeds from.
I also picked all the immature seed pods that have not gotten woody yet. These can be cooked just like green beans or eaten raw. The have a bit of a spicy taste raw but taste just like green beans when cooked or steamed. They also can be used in soups or stews.
The flowers can be picked and cooked also or used in tea. I have also dried them and used them for teas. The leaves can be used in soups, stews and much more. I have even canned peaches using the leaves I dried and crushed. Drying and crushing the leaves allows them to be stored longer.
Why should you eat Moringa? The nutritional value of Moringa is unbelievable.
| Principle | Nutrient value-Pods | Nutrient value-Leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 37 Kcal (2%) | 64 Kcal (3%) |
| Carbohydrates | 8.53 g (6.5%) | 8.28% (6%) |
| Protein | 2.10 g (4%) | 9.40 g (17%) |
| Total Fat | 0.20 g (1%) | 1.40% (7%) |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg (0%) | 0 mg (0%) |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g (8%) | 2.0 g (5%) |
| Vitamins | ||
| Folates | 44 µg (11%) | 40 µg (10%) |
| Niacin | 0.680 mg (4%) | 2.220 mg (14%) |
| Pyridoxine | 0.120 mg (9%) | 1.200 mg (92%) |
| Riboflavin | 0.074 mg (6%) | 0.660 mg (51%) |
| Thiamin | 0.053 mg (4.5%) | 0.257 mg (21.5%) |
| Vitamin A | 74 IU (2.5%) | 7564 IU (252%) |
| Vitamin C | 141mg (235%) | 51.7 mg (86%) |
| Electrolytes | ||
| Sodium | 42 mg (3%) | 9 mg (0.5%) |
| Potassium | 461 mg (10%) | 337 mg (7%) |
| Minerals | ||
| Calcium | 30 mg (3%) | 185 mg (18.5%) |
| Iron | 0.36 mg (4.5%) | 4.00 mg (50%) |
| Magnesium | 45 mg (11%) | 147 mg (37%) |
| Phosphorus | 50 mg (9%) | 112 mg (20%) |
| Selenium | 8.2 µg (15%) | 0.9 µg (1.5%) |
| Zinc | 0.45 mg (4%) | 0.60 mg (5%) |
