Organic Moringa Farm Visit + The Many Uses and Benefits Of The Mighty Moringa Tree

If you have been following my blog then you might have seen some recipes passing by using fresh moringa leaves or moringa powder. Ever since we moved to Cambodia I have been hooked to this amazing superfood that is gaining a lot of popularity in the west.

Though I love our mango, papaya and coconut trees, nothing beats my love for the beautiful moringa tree. Though its taste is not so special, it actually tastes similar to spinach, its benefits and nutritional value are just wow. But more about that in just a second.

Since I only have one tree, which only produces enough for our family and neighbors, I went on a mission to seek out more of this miracle tree. As you may or may not know, I run food and health websites and coach people on their journey toward a healthy and happy life. Since I don't want them to miss out on this wonderful product I decided to look for organic, fair trade opportunities here in Cambodia to source this green gold.

Organic Moringa farm and a production site in Preah Vihear and Siem Reap Province

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Not so long ago I had a chat with Mr. Ung Tongeang, a professor of agriculture at the BBU university, and he pointed me in the right direction and took me on a field trip! He closely works together with the farmers, buying all their crop for a very honest price. Even if he doesn't need new leaf he buys all the moringa to make sure the farmers have a steady income stream.

Since Cambodia is a developing country with a lot of poverty, it is still a place untouched by big agricultural corporations and chemical giants such as Bayer and Monsanto. The majority of veggies, fruits, herbs, and spices you find here are still cultivated in an organic, pesticide-free, old-school way!

I really hope it will stay like this! But I fear the worst. However, if the corrupt government doesn’t interfere, the future for non-chemical produce looks bright since organic and naturally-grown are two important buzz words among most Cambodian growers. And they get my full support!

I love their smaller, odd-looking produce. If you compare it to the chemical-infused imported stuff that comes from Vietnam and Thailand, these fruits and veggies look so tiny, but oh man they taste so good.

Moringa farmer (left) and Mr. Ung Tongeang, founder of the project and the Assistant Professor and former deputy director of Build Bright University, Cambodia.

Fairtrade, Organic, and Sustainable! I smell a possible collaboration ;)

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Ever since we (my hubby, furry friend Chivas, and I) arrived in Cambodia about 3 years ago, I wanted to do something with the country’s natural treasures while helping the people and communities build a sustainable, fair-trade business. So you can imagine how excited I was to go out into the field and see where all the magic happens.

And I was so happy to see a positive collaboration between the founder of the moringa project I visited and the farmers. Mr. Ung Tongeang is not only prioritizing high-quality, organic end products (such as moringa powder, capsules, tea, soap, and tablets), he also values people and the surrounding environment. It saddens him to see other countries using pesticides, destroying the environment and polluting waterways.

And I can only applaud his amazing efforts. Whether you know it or not, Cambodia is the home of many sweatshops that make products for brands such as Nike, Adidas, H&M, etc. Very low pay, exploitation, pollution, deforestation, and horrible, unsafe work conditions are not an uncommon thing here. But nothing of that on the moringa farm. Happy farmers and happy producers... double win!!!

Mr. Ung Tongeang's aim is to give back to the communities of his home country. He wants to help these farmers expand their land and create better farming conditions while sticking to the organic farming methods.... and most importantly paying them a more than fair price per kilo and NO CHILD LABOR or nasty chemicals!

While he is in charge of the production process and distribution throughout Cambodia and its neighboring countries, all the farming lands are still owned by the farmers, supporting the rural communities in Cambodia that grow this amazing crop for a living.

All the trees are grown in a sustainable, organic way! No pristine rainforests had to make way for these plantations. Nor can you find any kind of pesticide or herbicide on these farms.

Before I show more pictures of my trip, have you actually heard of the moringa tree before?

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There are so many known moringa health benefits. It always amazes me how much plant-goodness moringa packs in one single cup.

With one cup fresh leaves you’ll be getting following daily value percentages:

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• 22% of vitamin C
• 41% of potassium
• 61% of magnesium
• 71% of iron
• 125% of calcium
• 272% of vitamin A

Moringa powder has 10 times more vitamin A than carrots, 17 times the amount of calcium in milk, 15 times the potassium in bananas, 25 times the amount of iron in spinach, and 9 times more protein than yogurt. Amazing isn’t it? Can we call this a superfood? I would say a big YES to that.

And it doesn't stop there

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Next to the trees' amazing nutritional value, moringa leaves and seeds are packed with a broad range of health-promoting antioxidants. These little plant chemicals are known to protect the body from premature aging and cancer. Furthermore, antioxidants boost the immune system and fight chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is the culprit of many of our modern diseases autoimmune diseases and cancer included.

In some countries, moringa is traditionally used to boost milk production in mothers who just gave birth.

And it has helped fight malnutrition in developing countries. In Africa, they call it the “Miracle Tree” because aside from battling malnutrition, it also helps prevent water pollution, and cures different kinds of illness.

I can’t wait to go back into the field and learn more about how Cambodians use this miracle tree both in a culinary and healing way.

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We often add the fresh leaves and powder to our green smoothies or use the fresh leaves to make soup or stews. So yum!

The Moringa Farm in Pictures

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Young moringa trees on one of the Preah Vihea farmsr.

Moringa Flowers (used to make moringa blossom tea)

While moringa is a huge tree, this is about the tallest they’ll get in the field so the farmers can easily pick the leaves by hand.

The tall grass in front of the moringa trees is lemongrass. Lemongrass is used to keep insects and pests away. This is the only form of pesticide these farmers use.

A little hut with drinking water, a hammock, and cooking supplies for the farmers. Here they can find a little shade during the hot tropical days to eat their lunch and take a break.

Combining The Power of Moringa, Turmeric, and Black Pepper

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Along the moringa trees, turmeric and black pepper are also grown. That’s 3 of the world’s most powerful, natural superfoods grown in one spot.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the right season to dig up some turmeric roots, but I'm sure I will go back there. Here's turmeric that was still drying from previous harvest.

Air-dried turmeric.

What happens with all these fresh leaves?

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After the young leaves are harvested, they are washed with filtered and sterilized rain water. After a few washing steps, the leaves are naturally dried by air before being used as a natural tea or ground into power to make dietary supplements.

The natural drying process of the moringa leaves.

When the leaves are completely dry, they are bagged for tea or ground into powder to make capsules or tablets. I was able to see the production of capsules since that was what they were producing in the small facility that day.

After the capsules are filled with pure moringa powder or tablets are pressed, they are carefully packed and labeled.

Next to moringa powder, tea and supplements, they also produce cold-pressed moringa oil and moringa soap. The founder of the project is currently considering buying a steam distiller to make moringa essential oil. Can't wait to get a sample of that.

Though it is still uncertain what will be possible in terms of exporting this wonderful product to my customers, I can barely contain my excitement since I feel so blessed to live, work, and be among the Khmer (Cambodian) people. They are the most friendly, heart-warming, and amazing people I have ever met. IT'S TIME TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK!

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ALL CONTENT IS MINE AND ORIGINAL!
PICTURE(s) TAKEN WITH FUJI X-M1 AND OUKITEL PHONE C5 PRO

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