Why is Moringa Called Drumstick?: The Story Behind the Name

January 12, 2026 •

4 min read

Native to the sub-Himalayan tracts of India, the Moringa oleifera tree has been a staple in traditional medicine and cuisine for centuries. Its unique and long, slender seed pods are the primary reason for one of its most common and evocative nicknames: the drumstick tree.

Quick Summary

The moringa tree is called the drumstick tree due to its long, pendulous, and edible seed pods that strikingly resemble the musical instrument's sticks. This nickname is especially prominent in South Asian cuisine, where the pods are a common vegetable. The article explains the botanical origin of this name and details the various uses of the plant.

Key Points

Visual Resemblance: The primary reason for the name 'drumstick' is the visual resemblance of the moringa tree's long, slender seed pods to the sticks used for percussion instruments.
Botanical Origin: The common name comes specifically from the immature, edible fruit of the Moringa oleifera tree, which are harvested while still soft and green.
South Asian Cuisine: The drumstick moniker is most prevalent in regions like India and Southeast Asia, where the pods are a popular vegetable used in curries and stews.
Cultural Context: In many cultures, the specific names for plants are often derived from their most prominent features or uses, and the drumstick pod is the most recognizable feature for many.
One of Many Names: While 'drumstick' refers to the pod, the moringa tree also has other nicknames, such as the 'Miracle Tree' and 'Horseradish Tree,' which reflect its other beneficial properties.

The Drumstick's Defining Feature: The Moringa Pod

The most straightforward answer to why moringa is called drumstick lies in its physical appearance, specifically its fruit. The pods of the Moringa oleifera tree are long, green, and slender, often reaching lengths of up to a foot or more. As they mature, they can become brown and woody, but it is the young, tender pods that are most prized for cooking and resemble a percussion instrument's stick.

Physical Characteristics of the Moringa Pod

Length and Shape: The pods are typically long and thin, with three distinctive ridges running along their length.
Color: Young pods are bright to dark green and have a soft, crisp texture. They turn brown as they age and become more fibrous.
Seeds: Inside each pod are numerous small, winged seeds embedded in a soft, pulpy flesh. These seeds are also edible and contain a valuable oil known as ben oil.
Flavor: The edible flesh and seeds of the young pods have a mild, grassy flavor often compared to green beans or asparagus, with some bitter notes.

A Plant of Many Names: From 'Miracle' to 'Horseradish'

The name "drumstick" is not the only nickname this highly versatile plant has acquired. Its other names often reflect different characteristics or uses of the tree.

Other Common Names for Moringa

Miracle Tree: A reference to its wide range of nutritional and medicinal properties, with nearly every part of the tree—from leaves to roots—being beneficial.
Horseradish Tree: The roots of the moringa plant have a pungent, peppery flavor that tastes similar to horseradish when grated, leading to this alternative name.
Ben Oil Tree: This name comes from the oil pressed from the mature seeds, which is clear, odorless, and resistant to rancidity, making it useful in cooking and cosmetics.
Malunggay: A common name for moringa in the Philippines, highlighting its extensive use in Southeast Asian cuisine.

Culinary Uses of the Drumstick Pod

In South Asian cuisine, especially in India, the drumstick pod is a very popular vegetable. Its distinct flavor and soft, pulpy interior make it a common ingredient in many traditional dishes.

How Drumstick is Used in Cooking

Sambar: In Southern India, the pods are famously used in sambar, a lentil-based stew.
Curries and Soups: The pods are often cut into shorter lengths, boiled, and added to rich, spicy curries and soups.
Mashed Dishes: The inner pulp can be scraped out and used in mashed vegetable preparations known as bhurta.
Garnishes: The pods, or the leaves from the tree, can be used as a garnish for various dishes to add flavor and texture.

Moringa's Global Journey: From Traditional Use to Modern Superfood

Originally from northern India, moringa has spread across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. Its journey has seen it transform from a local, traditional food source into a global superfood, with different cultures utilizing various parts of the tree. The drumstick pods, however, remain a culinary favorite in many regions.

How Different Cultures Use the Moringa Tree

In parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, the leaves are often consumed like spinach or dried and ground into a powder for use in soups, sauces, and smoothies.
The nutrient-rich leaves are also used in various feeding programs to combat malnutrition, particularly in infants and lactating mothers.
The seeds can be used to purify water, as they contain a natural flocculant that causes impurities to clump together.
Moringa seed oil is sometimes used as a watch lubricant due to its stability.

Comparison of Moringa Parts: The Drumstick vs. The Leaves


Feature	Drumstick Pods (Fruit)	Moringa Leaves
Appearance	Long, slender, green pods	Small, green leaflets
Primary Culinary Use	Vegetable in stews, curries, and soups	Vegetable in salads, powder for smoothies, sauces
Key Nutrients	High in fiber, vitamin C, potassium	Rich in protein, vitamins (A, B, C, K), calcium, iron, antioxidants
Flavor Profile	Mild, grassy, and slightly sweet/bitter	Peppery, slightly bitter
Nutritional Focus	Fiber and certain minerals	Broad spectrum of vitamins and protein
Preparation	Boiled, steamed, or fried	Eaten fresh, cooked, or dried into powder

The Name's Endurance

The reason for the name "drumstick" is so simple and visual that it has persisted through centuries and across cultures, even as the scientific community has embraced the botanical name Moringa oleifera. While the leaves have gained prominence in the global wellness market, the pods are a culinary delight that continue to define the plant in many regions. The powerful, visual connection to a common object—a drumstick—makes the name unforgettable and instantly understandable.

Conclusion

The moringa tree's enduring nickname, the "drumstick tree," is a testament to the power of visual identification. The long, stick-like seed pods, a common vegetable in South Asian cuisine, are the unmistakable inspiration for this name. Although moringa is a "miracle tree" with countless nutritional and industrial applications, it is the simple, practical association with its unique pods that has solidified its place in common language. This botanical detail explains the origin of the moniker and celebrates a key part of the plant's identity and cultural significance.

Explore more about the cultivation and uses of moringa from the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, moringa and drumstick refer to the same plant, Moringa oleifera. 'Drumstick' is a common name used to describe the tree and specifically its long, slender, edible seed pods.

A drumstick vegetable is the long, green, and fleshy seed pod of the moringa tree. It has three ridges running along its length and, when young, is soft and crisp. It can grow up to a foot in length.

The drumstick is the immature fruit or seed pod of the moringa tree. While the tree's leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots are also edible, the pods are the specific part known as 'drumsticks'.

The flavor of the drumstick pod is often described as a mix between asparagus and green beans, with some sweet and bitter undertones. Its mild taste can absorb other flavors from stews and curries.

The drumstick vegetable is most commonly used in South Asian cuisine, particularly in India. It is a staple ingredient in dishes like sambar and various curries.

Yes, the leaves of the moringa or drumstick tree are highly nutritious and can be eaten fresh, cooked like spinach, or dried and ground into a powder. They are often added to soups, smoothies, and sauces.

Yes, moringa is also known as the horseradish tree because its roots have a spicy flavor that resembles horseradish when grated. This is another of the tree's many nicknames.