The 10th September 2014 marked the launch of Aduna’s second ‘super ingredient’: the new, super-charged, super-green super-leaf moringa. And as I was to learn, this little leaf is a mighty one at that. With Aduna priding itself on its exceptional and underutilized ingredients, sourced directly from small-scale producers in Africa, I couldn’t wait to attend the launch party to not only support the cause, but to officially #dothemoringa!
Known as ‘The Miracle Tree’ native to Africa and Asia, Andrew Hunt, co-founder of health and beauty brand and social business Aduna, informed me that moringa was the most nutrient-dense green superfood on the planet. As I peered skeptically into my delicious, mojito-inspired mocktail, which I was kindly given on my arrival, I needed convincing that my tasty green beverage was in fact a super-superior superfood.
It was Aduna Consultant Nutritionist Hala El-Shafie who alleviated my dubiousness. With her staggering statistics about the natural multi-vitamin, I was amazed to learn that moringa contains all nine amino acids and was higher in antioxidant levels than goji berries, green tea, blueberries, acai and pomegranates. The health benefits of this? Expect your hair, nail, skin and eyes to be radiant, glowing and gorgeous!
What’s more, being 25% protein, having 24 times more iron than spinach and 21% more calcium than milk, moringa aids protein synthesis, helps to maintain normal oxygen transport in the body and even regulates hormonal activity to reduce the effects of stress, tiredness, fatigue (great news if you are iron-deficient!). Even when compared to the most established ‘superfoods’ such as chlorella, spirulina and wheatgrass to name a few, moringa is significantly more nutrient-dense, being considered a ‘rich source’ or ‘source’ at RDA levels in vitamins and minerals such as A, K, E B1, B2, B3, B6, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, calcium and iron. Is there anything that this green powerhouse can’t do?
Nevertheless, I was still baffled by the delicious taste as I sipped my glass of pure goodness. Let’s face it, we consume green superfood powders not for the appearance and taste, but for the nutritional value. Yet, my marvelous moringa refreshment subverted such thought. Aduna Feel Good Chef, Saskia Gregson-Williams (founder of Naturally Sassy which we love and adore here at hip and healthy!) cleared my confusion. Saskia explained that flavour-wise, unlike chlorella and spirulina, which are algae and often found unpalatable, moringa has an earthy, ‘spinachy’ taste and is ideal for sprinkling onto salads, adding to soups or mixing into smoothies.
But the fun with moringa doesn’t stop there. As Saskia revealed during her inspirational, live raw cookery demonstration, the possibilities with moringa super-leaf powder are endless. I watched on in awe as she created moringa and avocado noodles, moringa key lime pie and even moringa and mint chocolate ice-cream! 100% organic, dairy free, soy free, wheat free, gluten free and suitable for vegans and vegetarians, my tastebuds were tantalized as I tucked into my not-so-naughty treats 100% guilt free.
Feeling excited and enlightened by my new awareness of #moringamiracles, I left the launch having achieved exactly what I set out to do; I was officially #doingthemoringa! Why don’t you?
Aduna Moringa Green Superleaf Powder is available form Holland and Barrett, Liberty, Wholefoods Market, Planet Organic, Selfridges, As Nature Intended, Revital and other leading independent retailers nationwide and online via www.aduna.com
words by Olivia Murphy