I’m currently camped out in an enormous city tucked inside lush mountains in one of the most unforgiving climates on this side of Ecuador. Summer has technically passed here. The heat, however, has not gone with it. So, naturally, I was contemplating different and more exciting ways to hydrate myself and came up with this tea made with Moringa leaves.
The family I have been living with for the past couple months has been so gracious, fun, and passionate. They teach me their recipes and they laugh when I make jokes—the ideal roommates, really. I’ve also noticed is that they also tend to use lime in almost every dish. Ginger is a very popular ingredient. The two combined creates a fresh tea that makes me smile warmly, embodying the flavor of my Ecuadorian living.
What makes this tea especially exciting, though, is the moringa. Moringa leaves have been used all over the world to help heal and combat inflammation and infection. When consumed as a tea you are drinking in all of the benefits of the plant. When consumed as an Ecuadorian Arnold Palmer—a perfect combination of lemon and tea—you are drinking in all of that summer flavor as well. Here are some tips for this summer and a delicious recipe to go with it.
Moisturize
Keeping your skin and hair moisturized is an absolute must no matter the season. Summer can be rough on your skin and a quick layer of some light oil or even aloe gel can help.
Hydrate
Help moisturize your skin from the inside out by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. By hydrating your skin from both the inside and the outside you are helping it combat the heat even better.
Exfoliate
Gently exfoliate your skin once a week to slough off dry and dead skin. When you do this be sure to do it in the evening so that you are not in the sun immediately afterward. Follow up with moisturizer to lock in all that hydration you’re working on!
Protect
Moringa is jam-packed with antioxidants, which help combat damage caused by environmental stressors, such as the sun. By adding moringa to your daily routine you are helping protect yourself from the inside-out.
Ecuadorian Moringa Arnold Palmer Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tea bag, Kuli Kuli Energizing Moringa Herbal Tea
- 2 cups of water
- 2 limes, squeezed
- 1” ginger, chopped
- 1 tablespoon of manuka honey optional
Directions
1. Bring water to a boil. Then keep just below a boil thereafter.
2. Pour water over tea bag or loose leaves to the water with the chopped ginger. Cover and let sit for 4-5 minutes before removing the bag.
3. Strain the tea into your cup and discard the ginger and leaves.
4. Add the honey and the lime juice to the tea and stir until well mixed.
5. Pour over ice to chill and enjoy!
