Noni juice: Not your everyday morning drink

The ‘mengkudu’ or noni fruit.

By Wilfred Pilo

KUCHING, Jan 27: Instead of a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of orange juice, why not give noni juice a go?

The oval-shaped greenish-yellow ‘mengkudu’ or noni is a commonly seen fruit but not as popular due to its sour and bitter taste and aroma, which many have likened to the smell of vomit.

According to a representative from a traditional Chinese medicine shop in Kuching approached by the writer, the fruit is safe to eat but not exactly popular unless one knows how to consume it.

“You could make it into a fruit juice, but it is recommended not to drink it with an empty stomach.

“Due to its taste, people in general do not like the fruit unless you know how to prepare it and are aware of its health benefits,” said the representative to DayakDaily.

In a study published in the National Library of Medicine titled ‘The Potential Health Benefits of Noni Juice: A Review of Human Intervention Studies’, it is suggested that the fruit may improve health, increase physical endurance, aid in weight management, and help maintain normal blood pressure—among other health benefits.

Other than as a fruit juice, noni can also be incorporated into salads and the leaves can be boiled and turned a hot beverage which has a pleasant and mild green tea and cocoa flavour. — DayakDaily

Noni juice.