Baobab Fruits: An Up-and-Coming Superfood

Travel to any country in sub-Saharan Africa and, most likely, you will stumble upon the iconic baobab tree, a tree so steeped in local folklore and legend that it was immortalized in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “The Little Prince.” Not only are these large, majestic trees unique to the landscape, they also offer an amazing superfood that is slowly catching on worldwide.

Baobab Fruits: An Up-and-Coming Superfood

For hundreds of years, African people have been using the baobab fruits to treat gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, as well as mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria. Similar to other exotic fruits, this trend has caught on in Western countries, where people are progressively realizing the extraordinary health benefits of this simple and unique fruit. The baobab fruit is extremely rich in vitamin C, calcium, antioxidants, and numerous other minerals that are important to everyday life and good health. The benefits of the baobab fruit include higher energy levels, a stronger immune system, healthier skin, better sleep, and better cardiovascular functions, amongst others.

Baobab fruits can be consumed fresh or transformed into a sweet and tasty juice. Nevertheless, for people who do not have an easy access to baobab trees there are other ways to enjoy the benefits of this super fruit. One of the unique aspects of baobab fruits lies in the fact that the fruit dehydrates naturally on the branch of the tree; whereas, most fruits spoil when they are not picked and have to be dried through a chemical process in order to be safe to eat. However, the baobab fruit does this naturally, no preservatives added, making it an ideal fruit to be shipped globally. This means that the fruit does not lose any of its nutrients or vitamins when milled down to a fine powder. In order to transform the fruit into a powder, the baobab fruit must be opened and the grainy, white pulp on the inside has to be milled down into a fine powder. This powder can be used for a variety of things: mixed into water and sugar for a thick drink or added into smoothies and cereals for an additional boost of energy.

Over the last decade, many companies have started working in Africa to export baobab fruits as a superfood. More importantly, many of these companies also work in local villages to ensure fair trade payment and make sure that sustainable business practices are being observed. Furthermore, given that baobab trees grow naturally throughout the region, there is no adverse environmental impact on the land. Baobab fruit is an up-and-coming food product that is starting to shake the health food scene worldwide. This superfood has the potential to positively affect the local economies in Africa in addition to providing a high amount of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals into your daily diet.

(Read more about Agriculture in Africa)

*Rebecca H. Hughes is based in Dakar, Senegal and has experience in marketing and communications as well as teaching. She has worked with international education institutions and companies in the agriculture industry. In her spare time, Rebecca manages an ethical accessory company called Six Bougies, sourcing textiles from across West Africa and working with local artisans to create globally inspired products.