The news

National Geographic heralds Africa’s iconic baobab

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

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

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

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

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

In praise of the mighty baobab

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?

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…