The rain is light but steady - an enveloping blanket of mist. Long tropical leaves, arching long and red like tongues drip now with water. The dirt road is turning muddy and I walk past an overgrown lot, with an ornate iron gate, and I like to imagine the home I would make here. Under the cover of trees amongst a ground littered with coconut husks, chicken and roosters peck about for grubs and fallen mangoes. A group of boys with surfboards runs past towards the growing waves and the air is a divine fragrance of sex wax, honeysuckle, and tropical fruits that conjure a memory of key lime pie. Later in the sun the guavas will ripen at the roadside fruit stands and mixed with the scent of the warming wet soil the air with be further perfumed. There is a booming sound and I expect lightning but come to discover that it is the waves crashing ahead. From the water that makes its way from the lagunilla to the sea, wriggles a young crocodile into the surf.
On the way home from an afternoon of swimming I notice a small woman plucking branches of tiny white flowers from a tree that grows out over an old fence. There is a big cluster that I can see is out of her reach. I am curious about what she will do with the delicate flowers so I take the tall branch and lower it down so that the blooms are now near to her. She cuts them free and thanks me. They appear too tender to keep in water - and besides, there is such a vibrant array of flowers in every direction. For what reason would such a woman feel the need to keep cut flowers?
“Va a comerlas/You will eat these?” I ask.
“Si, tienen muchas vitaminas/Yes, they have many vitamins.”
“Y como se llaman/And what are they called?”
“Moringa”
“Aha! Gracias y buen provecho señora/ Aha! Thank you, enjoy, kind woman!"
We smiled at one another, she took her lifted skirt full of flowers home and I continued up the hill...
My smile turned to laughter remembering a friends recent suggestion to me that I eat more flowers.
Coconut Lime Bites
Ingredients1 cup nuts/seeds 1 cup dates 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut 1-2 small limes 2 tsp. Sun Potion Moringa |
A Spoonful of Sun Potion Moringa
MethodFor this, I like to use sprouted peanuts and pepitas, but any variation of nuts and seeds can result in a delicious treat. Begin by placing the nuts and seeds of your choosing in a food processor and pulse. Add the dates (for these I suggest medjool) — you can also decrease the amount here and add honey. Add the zest and juice of one lime. Add the coconut shreds, reserving a small amount to roll the bites in later. Add the Moringa and pulse all ingredients together. Add more lime juice if the mixture is not sticking together, and more zest if you prefer a stronger lime flavour. Add a pinch of sea salt and vanilla bean if you like. Use a small spoon to form bites and roll them in the remaining coconut shreds. Keep in a well-sealed container, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks. |
A note from Sun Potion on Moringa
Moringa is a nutrient-dense leaf that has been relied on as everyday food across tropical regions for generations. It carries a wide range of bio-available nutrients, minerals and vitamins — including potassium, calcium, iron, selenium and magnesium — and is rich in amino acids.
Moringa oleifera grows primarily in tropical, subtropical and semi-arid climates, and nearly every part of the tree has a traditional culinary or household use. That versatility is how it came to be so widely valued as a food plant.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your practitioner or herbalist before adding adaptogens or tonic herbs to your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Moringa taste like?
Green and faintly grassy, a little like matcha without the bitterness. In these bites the lime and coconut carry the flavour and the Moringa sits behind it.
Do the coconut lime bites need baking?
No. Everything is pulsed in a food processor and rolled by hand. They firm up in the fridge.
How long do they keep?
Up to two weeks in a well-sealed container in the refrigerator.
Which nuts work best?
Laura uses sprouted peanuts and pepitas, but any nut or seed works. Medjool dates give the best binding.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
