TIMES JATENG, JAKARTA – Moringa Soup is a healthy soup made of Drumstick Leaves, which is also known as Moringa Leaves. This flavorful soup is an authentic cuisine from Banyuwangi, which has many health benefits, as it is rich in iron and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Moringa is a multi-purpose plant. Its leaves, roots and pods can be consumed as vegetables. All parts of the moringa tree, such as bark, pods, leaves, nuts, seeds, tubers, roots and flowers are edible. The leaves are used fresh or dried, then ground into powder. The seed pods are picked while they are still green and can be eaten fresh or cooked. 
Moringa seeds can be made into oil, eaten green, roasted, powdered and used in curries. 

Most people in Banyuwangi name this menu as Jangan Kelor. This hearty, traditional soup is usually served for breakfast, as it is easy and quick to make. 

Things to be Prepared before Cooking Moringa Soup

To make this simple recipe, you have to use young moringa leaves as the main ingredient. You should use the young leaves as the old ones are not tender enough to eat. 

Moringa Leaves Soup with chayote. (PHOTO: Anggara Cahya/TIMES Indonesia)

The other ingredients you need include 3 stalks of lemongrass, 4 cloves of red onion, some salt, sugar, and flavoring. You may also add some other ingredients according to your preference, such as sweet corn, chayote, cucumber, and so on. 

How to Cook Moringa Soup for the Family

1. First, pull the leaves off the branches first, in a stripping motion, then rinse them with clean water. 
2. Next, turn on the stove and boil some water according to your need. 
3. The third step is to mince the lemongrass and cut the red onion. Put them into the boiling water. Do not forget to add some sugar, salt and flavoring. You may adjust the taste according to your preference. 
4. Next, add the other ingredients, such as sweet corn, chayote, and cucumber. 
5. When the other ingredients are half-cooked, add the leaves that have been rinsed. You should put the Moringa Leaves on the last step because prolonged cooking can destroy the vitamins and minerals inside the leaves. 

Until this day, the tradition of cooking these plants as soup in Banyuwangi still exists, especially in Kemiren Village, Glagah sub-district in Banyuwangi. According to Hotimah, one of the locals, this soup is an affordable food. In addition to that, it is easy to find the leaves around the neighborhood. 

“It is best to serve Moringa Leaves Soup while it is still warm in the morning. It will be much better to be served with anchovy and Sambal,” she said. 

According to Hotimah, moringa fruits can also be consumed. People in Banyuwangi call this fruit as ‘Klentang’. 
“Usually, Klentang is not served with the soup. We usually serve them in a menu named Sup Uyah Asem Klentas (Moringa Sour Soup). It is very fresh and healthy,” she stated. 

People of Banyuwangi also believe that planting trees and consuming moringa leaves soup can ward off bad things and any black magic. Besides, this plants are known to rich in iron, vitamins and minerals.

Cited from Halodoc.com, the leaves contain much antioxidant, minerals, calcium, magnesium, phosphor, iron, sulphur, oxalic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B (choline), vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Consuming Moringa Soup can give many health benefits, such as preventing free radicals, lowering the blood sugar level, preventing cancer cell growth, and increasing the milk supply in breastfeeding mother. (*)