By Christine Awor
Tropical Institute of development innovations (TRIDI) is in advanced stages of developing mulberry tea. The process started three years ago with the first steps being acquisition of the technical and infrastructures required for mulberry tea processing. Koreans, Japanese, Chinese and Thai people use mulberry in their daily lives.
This practice is believed to contribute to their high life expectancy. Mulberry tea and juice are believed to offer several health benefits. Here are some of the potential benefits:
1. Antioxidant properties: Mulberry tea and juice contain high levels of antioxidants, such as anthocyanin and flavonoids, which can help protect against oxidative stress and free radicals that can damage cells and contribute to chronic diseases.
2. Blood sugar control: Mulberry leaves contain compounds that can help regulate blood sugar levels, making them potentially beneficial for people with diabetes or those at risk of developing the disease.3. Digestive health: Mulberry tea and juice may help improve digestion and prevent constipation due to their high fiber content.
4. Immune system support: The antioxidants in mulberry tea and juice may help boost the immune system and protect against infections.
5. Cardiovascular health: Some studies suggest that mulberry tea and juice may help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Image 1:A courtesy Photo of Mulberry Tea
Image 2:A Courtesy Photo of Mulberry juice
With all these Benefits, Ugandans are about to have a full brace of it as Tropical Institute of Development Innovations has taken the route into conducting thorough research on how to venture big into production of Mulberry juice and Tea alongside Commercialization of Sericulture in Uganda.
Currently, The Executive Director who is also the Principal Investigator (PI) to the Project Dr. Clet Wandui Masiga is in advanced stages for bringing mulberry tea to the market. He has engaged several partners and stakeholders across to contribute the skills and technologies required to harvest, process, package and market mulberry tea in Uganda. The stakeholders are from within and across the Globe.
Image 3:On the Second Right at the Background is the Executives Director TRIDI Together with other Global Leaders during the Sericulture Executive Meeting in Thailand.
“I have just attended an Executive Meeting on Sericulture and one of the key benefits of this meeting was the fact that it brings together global experts in Sericulture. While Mulberry tea is not Sericulture, it is a by-product of Sericulture and we do all it takes to make use of the byproducts for the benefit of humanity, value addition, job creation and profits to farmers.”says Dr.Clet
His Return to Uganda is anticipated to bring many great opportunities back into the Sericulture sector with new Innovations and Ideas mostly on Using Mulberry leaves to Serve various purposes like Making the best anti-oxidant tea and Juice.
Overall, mulberry tea and juice can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet and lifestyle. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these potential benefits are based on limited research still in Uganda. We shall bring on board Ugandan food technologies and scientists and Uganda National Bureau of standards to support the process.
