Move over kale! A leafy, more nutritious plant that is packed with all the essential amino acids of meat is slowly gaining popularity: Moringa. Highly-regarded by many as a superfood, moringa is known to improve nutrition worldwide. Helping to introduce moringa into the American palate is one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people, ChefJose Andres. Andres and his non-profit, World Central Kitchen, are working with the first American moringa company, Kuli Kuli and Haitian nonprofit Smallholder Farmer's Alliance to launch a nationwide moringa recipe competition on Instagram, using the hashtag #MoringaInspired to raise awareness and support moringa farming communities in Haiti.
But what is moringa? An "Ancient Green" eaten by indigenous cultures worldwide for thousands of years, moringa is one of the most nutrient-dense plants on the planet with nine essential amino acids, 27 vitamins and 46 antioxidants. Just one tablespoon of Kuli Kuli'sPure Moringa Vegetable Powder is equivalent to a full serving of vegetables according to the USDA.
The #MoringaInspired recipe competition seeks to draw creative and inspiring food and beverage creations from consumers using Kuli Kuli Pure Moringa Vegetable Powder. Capture, post, and share these moringa inspired recipe creations on Instagram. The top ten recipes that receive the most Instagram likes will be reviewed by a team of judges from World Central Kitchen, an organization which uses the power of food to empower communities and strengthen economies. One winner will be selected to receive a trip to Washington DC, including dinner at Jose Andres' new restaurant - China Chilcano.
"We are excited to work with Chef Andres and look forward to fostering creativity among consumers through Instagram, as well as increasing awareness of how moringa helps better the lives of people worldwide," says Kuli Kuli founder and CEO Lisa Curtis.
Kuli Kuli Pure Moringa Vegetable Powder is available online or at participating Whole Foods Market locations. One hundred percent of the profits from online sales of Kuli Kuli Pure Moringa Vegetable Powder during the contest period will go to Smallholder Farmer's Alliance to support moringa farmers in Haiti, while 1% of sales from select Whole Foods Market stores will go to the Whole Planet Foundation whose mission is to alleviate global poverty through microcredit.
For more information and contest rules, please visit www.kulikulifoods.com/moringa-recipe-competition.