Baobab: the superfruit

National Geographic heralds Africa’s iconic baobab

Tim — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:51:48 +0000

We have a visual feast for baobab fans across the world – the next issue of National Geographic magazine features baobab as the “vitamin tree” whose exotic fruit is delighting foodies everywhere. Not only does National Geographic describe the exceptional nutritional aspects of this zingy new superfruit, bursting with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it also quotes industry experts predicting huge market growth in baobab products within Europe and the USA. A preview of the article is on the National Geographic website, but its worth popping down to your newsagents for the September 2010 issue, so that you can enjoy the stunning photographs of the fruit, tree and baobab harvesters in southern Africa.

Oded does it again: baobab and apple jam

Tim — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:04:39 +0000

We were at the epicentre of epicurean delights in Cape Town on Saturday – The Old Biscuit Mill. The food market there has grown out of all recognition and sells all manner of seriously delicious fare – from exquisite belgian waffles, to the best organic cuts of meat, to oozy french cheeses, to fresh trout, to organic champagne, to mouthwateringly thin and crispy gourmet pizza. No surprise, then to see the latest delicious baobab offering from Chef Oded Schwartz: Baobab and Apple Jam. We slathered it greedily all over some artisan organic bread, with some of that oozy french cheese!

It’s Ama-Zing! Baobab Lemonade now available

Tim — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:20:33 +0000

We spotted that Yozuna’s deliciously zingy Baobab Lemonade is now selling in Bumblebee in London. Of course we had to rush out and buy a few bottles – we had ours on ice with a slice of lemon, but were thinking about possibilities of creating a sneaky superfruit cocktail with a splash of vodka! With raw 100% natural, organic, baobab sourced from PhytoTrade’s fair trade women’s cooperatives in Malawi, this is really a superfruit nutrition burst for your body!

A kind of Magic

Tim — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:29:55 +0000

For as long as man hath walked the earth and cultivated the fields, he hath drawn sustenance and comfort from uncooked food when the Aga hath broken or the gas hath been cut off.

Times, though, they have a-changed and ‘raw food’ is no longer the last resort but a trendy food movement spawning hip restaurants and new exciting recipe books from the UK’s raw food guru Kate Magic. Advocates swear by the health giving properties and improved nutrition that a raw food diet can provide.

Entitled Raw Magic, Kate’s third book is the world’s first to focus on raw ‘superfood’ recipes and includes some of the food Kate has created. Kate has also recently developed recipes using baobab. Raw chocolate brownies and a vegan mayonnaise are both baobab infused, though happily Kate stops short of suggesting eating them together.

There are around 160 other recipes in Raw Magic to try, as well as a guide to ‘superfoods’ and a section dedicated to Kate’s raw food philosophy. Kate will be talking about her book, raw food and baobab at this year’s Festival of Life. To learn more about Kate Magic and her approach to raw food, visit http://www.rawliving.eu.

The seventh Festival of Life takes place on the 25th of September at Conway Hall in Holborn, London. More information on the festival and exhibitors can be found at http://www.festivaloflife.net Come and meet us there!

Baobab harvesters benefit from new fair trade standards

Tim — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:36:20 +0000

It’s great to see that the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International have announced new fair trade standards for baobab products. This means that buyers will pay a premium on top of market prices for every kilo of baobab fruit that will be used in a fair trade product. The end result? Baobab harvesters earn a living wage, which means that they’ll conserve and protect wild baobab trees so they can continue make a living from the fruit. Plus their quality of life will improve, as they have funds for school fees, food, health care and other daily necessities. Fair trade baobab just tastes better, cos its good for you, good for Africa, and good for the environment. Can’t say fairer than that.

Tasty Cape Aloe and Baobab juice now available in SA

Tim — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:29:12 +0000

Lucky South Africa! Not only did they get to host the World Cup, but now they have a tasty and healthy superjuice hitting the shelves, in the form of Totally Wild’s Cape Aloe and Baobab juice. Thanks to the organic baobab, the fruit drink is packed with antioxidants, cholesterol fighting pectin, calcium and iron, and aloe adds dietary fibre, amino acids and natural sugars. Our verdict? Tangy and delicious! Cape Aloe and Baobab juice is now on the shelves in selected supermarkets and health food outlets in South Africa, and can be ordered from www.faithful-to-nature.co.za.

In praise of the mighty baobab

Tim — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:02:20 +0000

We were excited to hear that Africa correspondents for The Economist magazine have named their blog “Baobab”. A recent Baboab blog entry explains that it’s a “life-affirming” tree that is “hard to miss on any African horizon”. The blog describes about how people and wildlife use baobab as shelter, food and as a water store. It also shows how almost the whole tree can be used for food – the leaves and flowers make a tasty salad, the roasted seeds are a substitute coffee and the fruit pulp makes a zesty baobab lemonade. We’ll certainly be following the blog with one of those in hand – why not join us?

Baobab Pepsi – like it or not?

Tim — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:22:14 +0000

Recently a group of us tried the new Baobab Pepsi from Japan. Some of us really liked it and thought it was a bit like ginger beer. Others thought it was too sweet and didn’t taste of baobab at all. Well whatever you think of the taste, you’ve got to admit it’s got a great label. We’re looking forward to more delicious drinks that really taste of baobab being on the market soon…

Celebrate festival season with baobab

Tim — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:03:31 +0000

Summertime in the UK brings the creativity and adventure of the music festivals. This year the leading ethical festival food and music venue Chai Wallahs is bringing another environmentally-friendly tasty treat to festival go-ers, this time its a ‘Baobab Booster’ from Africa which can be added to their delicious range of organic smoothies and juices. Tangy, nutritious baobab is packed with antioxidants, micronutrients and fibre, and bursting with flavour, baobab can transform an ordinary drink into a nutritional powerhouse. And as our baobab is fair trade, it’s not only good for you, it’s also good for Africa.

Don’t worry if you can’t get to see Chai Wallahs at Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Greenman or any other music festivals this summer, you can still purchase baobab powder to pep up your next smoothie, from the Organic Herb Trading Company or Yozuna. Check out our baobab recipe page for further culinary inspiration!

Enjoy a taste of Africa at the Eden Project

Tim — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:16:03 +0000

The Eden Project in Cornwall has broken new ground by being the first UK venue to include baobab cuisine to visitors. Baobab ice cream is headlining the summer menu at the environmental exhibition centre, combining world famous Cornish cream with subtle tang of African baobab fruit. Baobab cakes are also available, and a zesty baobab cocktail was developed for the recent “Rumble in the Jungle” South West Drum and Bass Awards 2010 held there on 7 May.

Can’t wait to try that tasty baobab ice cream? Get on over to the Eden Project.

Or you can make your own using the tasty and versatile must have ingredient for every budding chef: baobab powder, available from Yozuna.