While relatively unheard of in the West, the Moringa Oleifera tree is well known to the inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent and throughout Southeast Asia. While virtually every part of the Moringa down to the roots can be used for one purpose or another, the fruit of the tree is particularly valuable, both as a highly nutritious food source, and in a number of other applications.

In appearance, the Moringa tree's fruit resembles long, thin beans or pea pods. During vegetative growth they are white in color, changing to brown when they reach maturity. The seeds inside, which are as highly prized by local populations as the fruit, number between 5 to 20 per fruit. The fruit itself is characterized by a taste that can be described as similar to asparagus. Moringa tree fruit look somewhat like drumsticks, which is why it is sometimes referred to as the "drumstick tree".

One of the reasons for the great popularity of Moringa tree fruit in balmy southern Asian areas as well as other tropical regions is its great versatility as a food source, as well as the natural healing power of products made from it. In traditional Indian cuisine, Moringa Olifeira fruit is often prepared in much the same way as beans and can be cooked in a variety of manners, whether fried or incorporated into sambar or curry dishes. As they tend to keep well over an extended period of time, they are perfect for storage and later use.

Moringa fruit, like almost any other part of the tree, is particularly prized for its high nutritional value. Due to a plethora of vitamins and micronutrients, the fruit of the tree is well known for promoting good health and helping to alleviate a host of ailments. With the growing availability of Moringa powder as a health supplement, people beyond the Moringa Oleifera's native environment are finding out what those in the tropics already know about its numerous benefits.

List of Chemicals in the Moringa Fruit: