Moringa Smoothie Recipes: 5 Blends That Actually Taste Good

Moringa powder tastes mildly grassy, a little like matcha without the bitterness. On its own in water most people do not love it. In a smoothie with the right fruit, most people cannot find it. These five recipes are the ones we hand to anyone opening a pouch for the first time, in roughly the order we'd suggest trying them. Each makes one large glass.

1. Banana, mango and moringa (the starting point)

The classic, and the one to try first. Mango and banana cover moringa almost completely; what is left is a faint green, tea-like finish.

• 1 teaspoon moringa leaf powder
• 1 ripe banana, frozen if you like it thick
• ½ cup frozen mango chunks
• 1 cup almond milk or any milk

Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until no green specks remain. Full notes, tips and variations are in the banana and mango moringa smoothie recipe.

2. Pineapple, coconut and lime

The brightest of the five. Pineapple's acidity and coconut's fat both work against the grassy note, and lime finishes the job. Tastes like a green piña colada.

• 1 teaspoon moringa powder
• 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
• ½ cup coconut milk (the drinking kind, or ¼ cup canned plus ¼ cup water)
• ½ cup water or coconut water
• Juice of half a lime
• Optional: ½ frozen banana for body

Blend until smooth. If it is too sharp, add the banana; if too thick, a splash more water.

3. Green apple, cucumber and mint

The one for people who do not want a sweet breakfast. Here you are not hiding moringa so much as pairing it: cucumber and mint are green-tasting too, and apple and lemon keep it fresh rather than vegetal.

• 1 teaspoon moringa powder
• 1 green apple, cored and chopped
• ½ cucumber, roughly chopped
• 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves
• Juice of half a lemon
• ¾ cup cold water and a handful of ice
• Optional: 1 teaspoon honey

Blend well; cucumber and apple need a full minute to go completely smooth. This one is best very cold.

4. Mixed berry and oats

Berries are the trick if the green colour puts you or your kids off. The smoothie comes out purple, not green, and the oats make it a proper breakfast.

• 1 teaspoon moringa powder
• 1 cup frozen mixed berries
• ½ banana
• 2 tablespoons rolled oats
• 1 cup milk of choice
• Optional: 2 tablespoons plain yogurt

Blend the oats with the milk for 10 seconds first so they break down, then add everything else and blend until smooth.

5. Peanut butter, banana and cocoa

Cocoa and peanut butter hide moringa better than anything else on this list. It tastes like a chocolate milkshake, which is the point.

• 1 teaspoon moringa powder
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup milk of choice
• Optional: 1 or 2 pitted dates for sweetness, and a pinch of Ceylon cinnamon

Blend until thick and smooth. If you use dates, soak them in warm water for five minutes first.

If it still tastes too green

• Halve the moringa for a week, then go back to a teaspoon. The taste gets easier to like with familiarity.
• Add acid, not sugar. A squeeze of lime or lemon does more than an extra spoon of honey.
• Add fat. A tablespoon of nut butter, half an avocado, or coconut milk rounds the flavour off.
• Check the powder. Moringa that has gone dull olive-brown and lost its fresh, hay-like smell tastes flat and bitter. Fresh powder is vivid green.

FAQ

How much moringa powder should I put in a smoothie?

One teaspoon per large glass. Two is the most the fruit can hide. Start with half a teaspoon if you are unsure.

Can I use fresh moringa leaves instead of powder?

Yes, a small handful of fresh leaves blends fine, but fresh leaves are hard to find outside South Asia. The powder is the same leaf with the water removed, which is why a teaspoon goes a long way.

Does blending or freezing affect moringa?

Blending and cold do not change it in any way you would notice. Heat does: moringa's colour dulls and its flavour turns bitter when it is cooked hard, which is why every recipe here is cold.

Can I make these the night before?

You can, but they separate and the colour fades. Blend fresh where you can. If you must make ahead, keep it sealed in the fridge and shake before drinking.

More on moringa: 5 ways to cook with moringa beyond the smoothie  ·  What is moringa?  ·  Moringa vs spinach, by the USDA numbers  ·  Moringa leaf powder nutrition