Dr. C. E. Peterson wrote, “I have removed fresh moringa leaves and left them overnight in my greenhouse, where they very promptly dry and can be rubbed over a screen to make a powder. The fresh weight value of betacarotene is about 88 ppm and the dried leaves will be about 300 ppm, equal to some of our best high carotene carrots.
"Even if addition to rice were to be limited to a teaspoon or so without any detectable flavor change, if it were done 2-3 times a day every day it could be a very substantial source of vitamin A where deficiency is causing blindness and other serious health problems.”
I would add that if people eat soups, substantially more of this powder could be added. Joel Matthews in Niger says people there preserve dried moringa leaves (not crushed) for use during the dry season as a food. They use it in their sauces. One popular food is a mixture of leaves and peanut press cake.
Cite as:
ECHO Staff 1994. Moringa and Carotene. ECHO Development Notes no. 45