Moringa tea, it’s here

People will soon be able to buy and sample a new “tea” drink in the Cook Islands.
It is a “light” tea made from the dried leaves of the Moringa plant being grown in Mauke by Hugh Graham.
It is an herbal tea, green in colour but turning pale yellow when hot water is added. People can add sugar or honey for personal taste. No milk is added.
Hugh advised the Times the tea is the first batch to come from the 1,600 trees planted in Mauke late last year.
As the leaves had been sun dried a small percentage of nutrients (goodness) has been lost.
Hugh says he will be sourcing a dehydrator (drier) later this year and the tea will be vacuum packed with no loss of nutrients.
At present Hugh is selling the tea locally in plastic bags containing about 65 grams, for $5.
Using an ordinary tea pot, he says one should be able to get 7 cups per table spoon of tea.
In future the tea may be marketed overseas in a different size bag. Hugh said the tea is ready for export now and our local Ministry of Agriculture is assisting him with protocols to meet New Zealand’s Ministry of Agriculture requirements.
Due to these developments Hugh will be based in Rarotonga for the next 8 months and will travel to and from Mauke.
Hugh advised that in Mauke the Moringa plants are growing faster than anticipated and the leaves are bigger all due to soil quality.
Hugh also advised that he is consulting with BTIB as to a suitable brand name that identifies the product as being from the Cook Islands.
Hugh advises that he will be setting up at the Punanga Nui Cultural Market in two weeks time.

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