Malunggay Juice Recipe
Malunggay juice is a traditional Filipino wellness drink made by steeping fresh moringa leaves in hot water and brightening it with calamansi citrus, creating a nutritious green beverage that's both healing and refreshing.
Equipment
- Medium pot (kawali) for boiling the leaves
- Large strainer (salaan) to separate leaves from liquid
- Sharp knife (kutsilyo) for cutting calamansi
- Cutting board (Sangkalan) for preparing ingredients
- Pitcher (pitsel) for serving
- Citrus juicer (pangpiga) for extracting calamansi juice
- Measuring spoons (kutsarang pansukat) for precise measurement
- Tall glasses (mahabang baso) for serving
Ingredients
- 12 medium stems of Malunggay Moringa oleifera
- 8-10 pieces calamansi Philippine lime, juiced
- 1 liter water
- 2 tablespoons sugar per tall glass or honey to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your fresh malunggay leaves. Pluck the small leaves from 12 medium stems and wash them thoroughly under running water. Carefully remove any large stems and shake off excess water. While doing this, prepare your calamansi by washing and cutting them in half.
- Place the cleaned malunggay leaves in a medium pot (kawali) and add 1 liter of water (tubig). Set your stove to medium-high heat (180°C/350°F) and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low (160°C/320°F) and let it simmer for 4-6 minutes. The water should turn a pleasant green color.
- Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool for 15 minutes at room temperature. During this cooling period, extract the juice from 8-10 pieces of calamansi using a citrus juicer. Set the juice aside.
- Once cooled slightly, strain (salain) the malunggay liquid through a large strainer to remove all the leaves. Mix in the fresh calamansi juice. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey per glass, adjusting to taste. Stir until the sweetener dissolves completely.
- To serve, fill tall glasses with ice cubes, then pour the malunggay juice over the ice. Stir well before drinking. For best results and maximum nutritional benefits, consume within 24 hours. If storing, keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
- The juice can be enjoyed any time of day but is traditionally consumed in the morning for maximum health benefits. Remember to stir well before each serving as natural settling may occur.
Tips from Lola's Kitchen
- Use young malunggay leaves for a milder taste
- Don't overboil the leaves to preserve nutrients
- Add a small piece of ginger (luya) for added benefits
- Fresh leaves are better than dried ones
- Morning harvest yields the most nutrients
Nutrition
Calories: 45kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 3gSodium: 10mgFiber: 2gCalcium: 6mg
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