Baobab - The king of the superfruits
With its velvet skin, the baobab feels like a coconut in the flush of youth - minus the long hairs.
And inside its flesh is crammed full of vitamin C, calcium and antioxidants - it packs a nutrition punch that makes so-called "super-fruits" like pomegranates and cranberries green with envy.
The taste is something of a disappointment after the tactile pleasure of the skin that encases it. The white, powdery fruit looks like sherbet and in parts of Africa is mixed with water and made into a drink, has an alien texture that seems rather tasteless.
Baobab facts
- More than 10 times the antioxidant level of oranges
- And six times more vitamin C
- More than twice the calcium level of milk
- Soluble fibre in fruit pulp has pre-biotic qualities and stimulates good bacteria in gut
- High in potassium, important for brain, nerve and muscle function
- And phosphorus, which helps bones
.
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WHERE IT GROWS
- Southern, central, western and north-eastern Africa, on savannah
- National tree of Madagascar, where there are seven species
- Western Australia, where one tree was used to imprison Aborigines
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The leaves can be eaten as relish and the fruit dissolved in milk or water and used as a drink. The seeds also yield an edible oil and can be eaten raw or roasted.
The fruit, bark and leaves of the tree are used to treat medical problems including fevers and kidney disease.
The baobab tree can live for hundreds of years. Its trunk can grow up to 50ft (15m) in circumference and reach a height of 98ft (30m).
(source: BBC)
Baobab Photos
Baobab Tree
African Baobab Tree
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Baobab seed pod
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Have you tried the Baobab fruit
Mark wrote
We are offering Baobab products, including fruit pulp (whichis a naturally dried powder).
www.Baobab-Fruit.com
Posted September 22, 2008
