How To Make Baobab Fruit Drink

Ingredients:
600g baobab fruit pulp
1.2l warm water
1 tbsp sugar


Method:
Add the baobab fruit pulp to a large bowl and add the warm water and sugar. Leave to sit for at least four hours. During this time the very dry fruit pulp will hydrate and will come away from the seeds and the fibrous matter of the fruit. Stir the mixture vigourously until the water becomes an opaque, tan, liquid. Strain the resulting juice through cheesecloth or muslin into a jug. Refrigerate the liquid and serve chilled.

Baobab Exciting New Super Food

Baobab is an exciting new Super Food/Functional Food additive in a receptive and steadily growing market segment - the specialty health foods/ nutraceuticals business.


A Super Food refers to a food or beverage that contains exceptional nutrient richness and antioxidants, molecules that fight free radicals.


These cell-damaging chemicals emerge from nearly everything our bodies’ do that involves oxygen, including digesting and breathing.

Industry Growth Trends For Funtional Foods

Wild Harvest Pharma has identified several key product trends whose growth provides a high demand for our Baobab commodity.

• An Aloe Vera skin health yoghurt that achieved sales of €4.5m in Spain in 2007.
• Weight management with whey, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) soy and dietary fibre heading the list of star ingredients.
• Euro monitor put the global omega-3 foods market at €1.2bn.
• In the cardiac field, sterol foods came in at more than double - €2.5bn.
• Sales of pre-and probiotic yogurts hit €12.4bn, a 108% increase on 2002 levels.
• The West’s demand in the functional food and beverage industry has outperformed the conventional food and beverage industry annually for 10 years or more.
• Between 1998 and 2003 global sales of functional foods increased almost 60%

250g de pulpe de fruit de Baobab Bio

Baomix "La force du Baobab" 
PULPE DE FRUIT DE BAOBAB BIOLOGIQUE
- 44% de fibres
- 3 fois plus de calcium que le lait
- des propriétés naturelles antioxydantes
- l'aide à l’assimilation et la biodisponibilité du calcium et du fer
- retrouver et/ou conserver une bonne vitalité


UTILISATION: Pour préparations culinaires ou cocktails, dissoudre deux cuillères à café de poudre dans un verre d'eau, de jus de fruits, de thé glacé, de lait ou yaourt une ou deux fois par jour.


Découvrez aussi le petit déjeuner tonique en ajoutant à votre bol de cacao 2 cuillères à café de Baomix (en poudre).
BAOMIX NE CONTIENT PAS DE CONSERVATEUR OU COLORANT - SANS GLUTEN

COMPOSITION DE BAOMIX BIO: 100% de la pulpe du fruit de l’Adansonia Digitata (Baobab biologique)

UTILISATION: Pour préparations culinaires ou cocktails, dissoudre deux cuillères à café de poudre dans un verre d'eau, de jus de fruits, de thé glacé, de lait ou yaourt une ou deux fois par jour. Découvrez aussi le petit déjeuner tonique en ajoutant à votre bol de cacao 2 cuillères à café de BAOMIX BIO.

La pulpe de pulpe de Baobab Biologique au goût sucré et acidulé contient de la Thiamine (vitamine B1) et de la riboflavine (vitamine B2), essentielle à une bonne régénération des cellules souches de la peau ainsi  que de la niacine (vitamine Pp B3), efficace dans la régulation de nombreuses fonctions métaboliques. La poudre de pulpe est également  très riche en minéraux, calcium, fer, potassium, magnésium, manganèse, phosphore, zinc ainsi qu'en acides gras essentiels.

2 cuillères à café de  BAOMIX BIOLOGIQUE contiennent 44% de fibres dont 22,4% soluble et 22,6% insoluble. Les fibres solubles naturelles sont équilibrantes et fortifiantes pour la flore intestinale et participent à un bon transit.

Excellent complément alimentaire pour la diététique du sportif, 100 g de BAOMIX contient 7 fois plus de vitamine C que l’orange (300mg) et 3 fois plus de calcium que le lait (295mg).

Les propriétés naturelles antioxydantes BAOMIX BIO jouent un rôle essentiel dans la  lutte contre l’excès de radicaux libresresponsables du vieillissement prématuré des cellules: une arme pour combattre stress et fatigues passagères. Les antioxydants contenus par BAOMIX sont les plus efficaces de la classe hydrophile. Ils participent à plusieurs processus métaboliques essentiels : - la production de collagène  - la biosynthèse des hormones (stéroïdes), des tissus conjonctifs et des neurotransmetteurs.

L’acide ascorbique contenu naturellement dans BAOMIX  BIOLOGIQUE augmente l’assimilation et la biodisponibilité du calcium et du fer.

BAOMIX BIO  est particulièrement recommandé à toute personne désirant retrouver et/ou conserver une bonne vitalité : Séniors, enfants en phase de croissance, étudiants, sportifs, ... Complément nutritionnel d'un bon équilibre, à ne pas utiliser comme substitut d'un régime alimentaire varié.

Baobab Approved for U.S. Consumers

The magnificent baobab tree, with its sturdy trunk and broad, root-like crown, is one of Southern Africa’s icons and a well-known sight in photographs and travel brochures. Not as well-known is the fact that the tree’s fruit and leaves are both edible, and the baobab fruit is particularly nourishing and rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Now, the benefits of baobab (Adansonia spp.) are to be experienced by millions of overseas consumers, with the September 2009 announcement that the US Food and Drink Administration (FDA) has approved the importation of baobab powder, made from the pulp of the fruit, into the US. This is significant for the hundreds of African farmers who derive a living from the massive trees.

Harare-based Phyto Trade Africa is the driving force behind the application for export. The announcement follows PhytoTrade’s successful application to the European Commission, which gave its approval for export to Europe in July 2008

PhytoTrade, a trade association, helps rural farmers in Southern Africa get their natural products to market. It represents thousands of producers across eight nations in the region and states its purpose as poverty alleviation and the protection of biodiversity by promoting sustainable, ethical and economically viable enterprises.

In October 2008 PhytoTrade prepared its submission to the FDA under the “generally recognised as safe” (Gras) classification. The Gras food additive classification indicates that the additive has been deemed safe for its intended use. The evaluation is performed by suitably qualified experts. Gras-certified additives are exempt from the usual full FDA pre-market review.

Now that Gras status has been conferred on locally produced baobab powder, PhytoTrade and its commercial partner, plant extract specialist Afriplex, will look at launching products in the US as soon as the beginning of November 2009.

PhytoTrade communications director Dr Lucy Welford, based in Cape Town, said the application has been put together with a view to capitalising on the current popularity of African food in overseas markets such as the US.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is another useful platform which will assist in the marketing of baobab products, by creating greater awareness of Africa and African foodstuffs. PhytoTrade hopes that products will be available locally in time for football's biggest tournament, which kicks off in June 2010.

Billion-dollar industry
PhytoTrade believes that baobab powder has the potential to spawn a billion-dollar industry, with health-conscious consumers showing increasing interest in exotic flavours and products that offer extra benefits, and adhere to Fairtrade  standards to boot.

Farmers are paid fairly for their produce and, said Afriplex, the big buyers also return a portion of their sales profits to the villages to fund community projects.

According to PhytoTrade’s CE, Gus Le Breton, there is already strong interest in the powdery substance. “Dozens of companies have shown interest in baobab since we submitted the application,” he said, “and many have already conducted initial research. Now that approval has been given, they can progress to full-scale product development.”

Health benefits
Baobab’s vitamin C content is up to three times that of an orange. In addition to its high levels of antioxidants, it contains natural fibre, calcium and iron. The fruit is also a source of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and niacin (vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid), as well as pectin and citric, malic and succinic acids. Baobab oil contains vitamins A, D and E.

Both fruit and leaves can be eaten, while the bark is used to make rope.
Outside Africa the fruit and leaves of the baobab are not eaten directly – the fruit is generally processed first to the fine white powder and then added to food and drink products.

Baobab powder is particularly suited as a nutritious additive for thicker drinks such as smoothies, and can also be used in jams, cereals and cereal bars, and biscuits. The healthy drinks and snacks market is a top priority for PhytoTrade.

Tree of life
In Africa, the baobab grows primarily in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Madagascar, where it is the national tree. Baobabs can grow as old as 1 000 years.

According to a 2007 study written by marketing economist Ben Bennett of Britain’s Natural Resources Institute, the sustainable harvesting of baobabs has the potential to bring in an extra US$1-billion (R7.35-billion) into Africa annually. Up to 2.5-million poor households stand to gain work and income through this.

Wild harvesting of baobabs and collecting fruit from the trees or the ground will ensure the sustainability of the process. And as a source of income, baobabs will act as a deforestation deterrent because people will be more eager to protect them and less willing to chop them down to clear space for other crops.

Baobab Probiotic

Baobab is both Prebiotic and Probiotic

The Definitive Guide to Safe, Natural Health Solutions Using Probiotic and Prebiotic Foods and Supplements

by Gary B. Huffnagle, Ph.D. and Sarah Wernick

If the thought of bacteria conjures images of germs that should be avoided at all costs—and certainly not ingested—think again! Some friendly bacteria, called probiotics, are not only beneficial to your health, they’re essential. Now an internationally recognized scientist at a top U.S. medical school—one of the leading researchers in the field—sheds light on the extraordinary benefits of these natural health superstars.

Thanks to an explosion of research in recent years, one thing is clear: probiotics, the healthy bacteria that inhabit the digestive tract, are the body’s silent partners for good health, optimizing the power of the immune system to fight disease and the “bad” germs we fear.

But how do they work? And in the face of factors like stress and poor diet, which decrease their numbers, how do you keep your supply well stocked? Here is an up-to-the-minute, highly accessible guide to probiotics and the foods and supplements that contain and support them—many of which may be in your diet already.

Discover:
The key role of probiotics and prebiotics in restoring healthy balance to our bodies, improving immune system functioning, and curbing inflammation

How to use probiotic foods and supplements to prevent and relieve allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, yeast infections, and the negative side effects of antibiotic use

New evidence that probiotics may help fight asthma, cardiovascular disease, breast and colon cancer, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia—and even obesity

Natural sources of prebiotics, the nutrients that help make the digestive tract more hospitable for probiotic bacteria

The Probiotics Revolution also includes a step-by-step plan for incorporating the many food sources of probiotics and prebiotics into your diet, a complete buyer’s guide to probiotic supplements, and how to introduce probiotics to your family and children.

Targeting Functional-Food Trends

By Ram Chaudhari, Ph.D., FACN, CNS

Fortified functional foods and beverages are set for unprecedented growth as consumers continue to understand the value that nutrition plays in their overall health, as well as in the management of specific health conditions.

An approach to “personalized nutrition” will continue to create opportunities for manufacturers savvy enough to know that fortified functional products are an excellent way to differentiate themselves from their competition on an already overcrowded supermarket shelf.

Food for thought

The target audience for brain-boosting products spans all demographic segments, including pregnant mothers, babies, toddlers, children, teens, adults and seniors. Some of the nutrients that would avail themselves to enhancing cognitive function in a variety of applications such as infant formulas, juices, bars and baked goods include: acetyl L-carnitine, choline, CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10), GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), gingko biloba, phosphatidylcholine, omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins, as well as vitamins A, C and E.

Lifelong immunity

Immunity is a concern for all ages. However, immune-boosting products need clear focus for each target group. For instance, the aging boomer is more concerned with warding off chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and arthritis, while mothers are likely more focused on protecting their family from the common cold or other infectious diseases. There is an intimate connection between a person’s immune system and their gut.

Manufacturers can target gut and digestive health with both pre- and probiotic ingredients in immunity-boosting products. Although the body has some limited capacity for storing nutrients, there is a continual need to provide good nutrition to maintain proper functioning of the body, including optimal immune function.

Utilizing the following nutrients in applications that encompass dairy, juices and enhanced waters can help support immunity: biotin, folic acid, selenium, zinc, CoQ10, lycopene, and prebiotics and probiotics, as well as vitamins A, C, E, B1, B12, B2, B6, and C.

Fighting time’s effects

The market for “nutricosmetics” or “cosmeceuticals”—ingestible, nutritional skin-care products—is driven by increased media exposure and a growing number of young and older health-conscious consumers who want to maintain or achieve a youthful and beautiful outward appearance.

The best products for this category are fortified foods, beverages and beauty-oriented dietary supplements. Interesting applications for nutricosmetics include collagen-enriched soup, yogurts enriched with beauty-enhancing ingredients, functional bottled-water products, ready-to-drink tea, anti-aging jams, antioxidant-rich chocolate-based beauty products, and many more. Nutrients that can enhance ingestible anti-aging products include: collagen, vitamin E, aloe vera, CoQ10, inulin, lycopene and resveratrol.

Targeted energy

The choice of specific ingredients in energy-enhancement products should be appropriate to the needs of the target population and the purpose of the product (e.g., athletes, weight loss, mental acuity, etc.). The main ingredients in sport drinks focus on providing water for hydration and optimal levels of highly available sources of carbohydrate energy, such as sucrose or glucose-fructose syrups.

In contrast, the design of an energy-boosting drink for the weight loss market would need to be mindful of caloric content, so sucralose would be a better ingredient choice. In addition, energy-promoting ingredients like caffeine, guarana, ginseng or tyrosine help address the “energy drag” caused by weight-loss diets.

Similar energy-boosting ingredients may also go into products designed for greater mental energy. Such products may also include additional antioxidants, such as vitamin C and E or CoQ10, and deliver additional “brain food” ingredients, such as choline, marine omega fatty acids like DHA and EPA, zinc, and folate. Other nutrients that can enhance energy include: taurine, B-complex vitamins, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), cordyceps and rhodiola.

Effective net results

Designing a new product with a desired specific health benefit is no easy task. Developers are faced with many challenges every day regarding custom fortification. Because a number of factors, such as temperature, moisture, pH, oxygen, bioavailability and interactions, impact the stability of nutrients and their retention in foods, I would urge new-product developers to thoroughly investigate nutrient characteristics prior to incorporating them into products.

Finally, I cannot place enough emphasis on the fact that the key to wide consumer acceptance of any fortified food or beverage product is taste. No matter how good your product might be from a nutritional point of view, if it does not immediately taste good, then the product is set for failure right from the start.

Ram Chaudhari, Ph.D., FACN, CNS, is senior executive vice president, chief scientific officer and co-founder of Fortitech Inc., Schenectady, NJ. He spearheads the company’s extensive research and development and quality assurance efforts. He is responsible for directing Fortitech’s global team of technical, laboratory and quality control personnel that help manufacturers develop new products, meet desired label claims, tackle formulation challenges and address processing requirements.

Baobab Juice Launched

Back to basics® Baobab juice is extracted from fresh baobab fruit. Baobab juice is rich in calcium, iron, pectin, vitamin C and lots of healing compounds. Baobab juice has also been used in weight management, diabetes, stress, fatigue and general wellness.

Baobab Oil for Cooking

The khumbo oil refinery is located near Michiru in Blantyre district. As an OVOP project they are making oil products such as cooking oil, soap, and body lotion which are extracted from plants like Moringa, Jatropha, Sunflower and Baobab.

Food As Pharma

Time Magazine

Hippocrates once said, "Let food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be food," and doctors now believe that ancient Greek healer may have been onto something. We need food for nourishment, of course. Without it, our cells and tissues would wither away from starvation. But what's becoming clearer is that food is more than just fuel. What you eat can determine how elastic your blood vessels are, how easily you resist cancer-causing toxins and whether or not you will barrel down the road toward heart disease.

"There is an overwhelmingly strong database of studies suggesting that the quality of calories we eat has a huge impact on our well-being and our risk of chronic disease and longevity," says Dr. David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program at Children's Hospital Boston.

But does food have real power to prevent disease? That's the claim behind functional foods — products that are enhanced or otherwise designed to do much more than simply supply us with needed calories and nutrients.

And the early evidence suggests that the kitchen may indeed contain potent disease-fighting agents, just as the medicine cabinet does. In a groundbreaking 2002 study, researchers found that people at risk of diabetes could delay or in some cases even prevent the disease from developing by eating fewer calories, getting them from the right kinds of foods and exercising more than two hours a week.

Even more intriguing, the study revealed that people who were genetically predisposed to diabetes benefited most. In essence, diet and other lifestyle factors altered their genetic destiny.

Organics sales reach double-digit growth in 2008

May 05,2009
By: Jane Hoback

Nonfood items such as supplements, personal care products, linens and clothing propelled an increase in U.S. sales of organic products in 2008, according to a new survey by the Organic Trade Association.

Sales of organic products, both food and nonfood, totaled $24.6 billion in 2008, a 17.1 percent increase over 2007, according to OTA's 2009 Organic Industry Survey.

The survey, conducted by the Lieberman Research Group, showed that organic food sales grew 15.8 percent to $22.9 billion. Organic food now accounts for 3.5 percent of all food product sales in the U.S., the OTA said. Total U.S. food sales grew 4.9 percent in 2008.

Meanwhile, organic nonfood sales reached nearly $1.65 billion, a whopping 39.4 percent increase over 2007 sales.

"Organic products represent value to consumers, who have shown continued resilience in seeking out these products," said Christine Bushway, OTA's executive director.

In organic nonfood categories:

Supplements sales grew 38 percent to $566 million
Fiber, including linen and clothing, grew 65 percent to $472 million
Personal care products grew 19 percent to $443 million
Pet food grew 48 percent to $76 million
Household products grew 42 percent to $50 million
Flowers grew 54 percent to $42 million

"It is not surprising to see higher rates of growth in the organic nonfoods categories than the organic foods categories, as this sector is less mature than organic foods in general," the OTA said in its executive summary of the report.

Consultant Debbie Swoboda, of Stuart, Fla.-based Debbie Swoboda Marketing Solutions, isn't surprised at the results either. "People are becoming more aware," she said. "And in many cases, prices have come down."

Organic baby clothes, for example, are gaining in popularity, Swoboda said.

In the organic food categories, fruits and vegetables accounted for the lion's share of sales – 37 percent, followed by beverage and dairy, with 14 percent each.

Organic breads and grains and beverages showed the strongest growth. Breads and grains were up 35 percent over 2007. Beverages were up 40 percent.

Swoboda wondered what effects the lingering bad economy will have on organic sales in 2009. "People are concerned. But our industry is still up."

During hard times, dietary supplements pump $60B into national economy

May 28,2009
By: Angela Cortez

Despite the current recession, the dietary supplements industry is growing, creating jobs and pumping $60 billion into the national economy, according to a new study cited by the Natural Products Association.

"If you take a dollar and drop in the pool, you come up with almost three dollars," said the study's author Joan DaVanzo of the health care consulting firm Dobson DaVanzo.

For every dietary supplements dollar spent, the economic contribution is $2.71. The industry also accounts for more than 1 percent of total U.S. health expenditures during the last 10 years, according to the report: The Economic Contribution of the Dietary Supplements in the United States.

The industry contributes about $60 billion to the economy through direct and "ripple effects," DaVanzo said. Directly, it accounted for $22.5 billion in 2006, the latest year statistics were compiled in the study. But DaVanzo said newer statistics indicate continued growth, as dietary supplements sales climbed 5.9 percent to $23.7 billion in 2007.

Because dietary supplements are produced by a large number of manufactures and distributed through a variety of channels, the supply chain involves a number of industries, including retail, agriculture and transport, delivery and warehousing. Those industries stimulate other jobs.

"It starts with suppliers and goes to natural products stores and online venders, so you can see the chain," DaVanzo said. "The net is $22 billion, but once it ripples through where jobs are related … the (dietary supplements) industry touches so many different industries."

Dietary supplements also provide the direct employment of nearly 200,000 people. Under the ripple effect, those jobs expand to more than 400,000 within about 100 different industries.

The study is the first of its kind to measure the economic ripple of the dietary supplements industry, an industry in which 80 percent of Americans buy vitamins and other supplemental health aids. DaVanzo said the growth can be attributed to the fact that as the population ages, people are taking a greater role in seeking out ways to remain healthy.

The industry also pays more than $10 billion in local and federal taxes.

David Seckman, executive director and CEO of Natural Products Association, is using the report in his discussions with state legislators, as well as members of the U.S. Congress, to show that the industry is an economic driver that shouldn't be over-regulated.

"With the health care reform debate going on, this information is critical," he said.

The study was commissioned by the Natural Products Foundation, a nonprofit that supports dietary supplement industry research and education.

African Baobab Lemonade

African Baobab Lemonade

As with most alchemy it must begin with magic ingredients and after much brewing of various potions we came up with this very limited edition Baobab Lemonade. It’s definitely changed the water to a golden colour but the lovely smooth refreshing ultra Lemony taste was the Holy Grail and one of those eureka moments!

Tulimara African Baobab Product Producer

Tulimara are a Zimbabwean company working to sustainably commercialise indigenous natural resources.

The sustainable commercialisation of indigenous natural resources provides alternative income generating opportunities for rural producers and encourages them to protect their natural resources because they are able to make money from them.

Bravo Tulimara

Malcolm Riley - Gourmet Foods Entrepreneur

To see your product flying off the shelves at Selfridges Food Hall is a dream-come-true for any gourmet food maker. Malcolm Riley has achieved it with his very first product, thanks to a little-known African superfruit and a touch of serendipity.

In 2007, Riley – the son of an English father and a half-African, half-Indian mother - visited his family in his native Zambia. With plans in place to start his own food business, he was looking out for ideas for new and unusual products. By chance, he met the Mthanjara Women’s Co-operative, a group of women working to combat hunger and support AIDS orphans in the east of the country. As well as growing crops such as maize and ground nuts, the women also made food from wild fruits. One of their favourites was a traditional jam made from the highly nutritious fruit of the baobab, a tree that grows in vast numbers across Southern Africa.

‘As soon as I tasted it, I knew I had my first product,’ says Riley. ‘This jam was sensational and quite different to anything on the market in Europe. It had a creamy smooth texture like honey and tasted of apricots, lemon and lime. I was hooked.’

Armed with the recipe, Riley returned to Devon and set to work, naming his company Yozuna, which means “It’s sweet!” in the local Zambian language. He took a sample from his first batch of jam to Selfridges and their savvy buyers immediately signed it up in an exclusive launch deal. It has been so successful that Riley has added three new products to his line-up: baobab spreads made with chocolate and banana, and baobab lemonade, all of which will carry the FAIRTRADE mark.

The great thing about baobab, according to Riley, is that it’s not only delicious and nutritious – containing high levels of Vitamin C, calcium and iron - but it also helps to improve the lives of rural people in Southern Africa.

‘In remote areas, families often survive on less than $100 a year. They can’t afford seeds and tools for farming, but to harvest baobab costs them nothing and earns vital income for food, healthcare and education. The more baobab we eat in the UK and Europe, the more people in Africa stand to benefit,’ says Riley.

Riley works closely with PhytoTrade Africa – the organization representing the natural products industry in Southern Africa - to ensure that the baobab in his products comes from ethical and sustainable sources. He has also committed to return a portion of his profits to the Mthanjara Women’s Cooperative to support their extraordinary work.

‘After all, it was their recipe that launched my business,’ he says.

Riley says he also owes a debt of gratitude to the nutritionist and food writer Wendy E. Cook - former wife of comedian Peter Cook - whom he met while working as manager at his local farm shop in Devon. Riley had moved down from London to start a new life with his fiancée Sophie and explore his growing passion for natural and organic food. He and Cook struck up a rapport through their shared interest in food and Riley plucked up the courage to show her some recipes he had been developing. Cook was so impressed that she asked to use one in her forthcoming biodynamic cookbook.

‘It was a massive confidence boost for me and convinced me my future really was in food,’ says Riley. ‘Ultimately it led to me setting up Yozuna, so I have a lot to thank both Wendy and the women of Mthanjara for!’

Baobab Leave Soup Kuka Soup

Kuka Soup is a traditional Nigerian recipe for a classic fish stew in a chilli and tomato sauce that's thickened with okra and baobab leaves.

The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Nigerian version of: Kuka Soup.
Baobab leaves are a staple of certain West African cuisines. They're often used, dried, as a thickener in the same way that dried sassafras leaves (filé powder) is used in Cajun cookery. Indeed, in a pinch you could substitute 4 tbsp filé powder for the kuka leaves in the recipe below.

Ingredients
225g dried kuka (baobab) leaves
225g dried, ground, okra
1 fresh chilli
4 fresh tomatoes
1 small onion, sliced
500g dry or fresh fish
6 tbsp palm oil
1l stock or water
salt to taste

Kuka Soup Preparation:
Method:
Wash and clean a fish (if it's fresh season with salt and black pepper). Grind the tomatoes, onion and chilli to a paste in a pestle and mortar or a a food processor. Pour the stock into a large pot and add the tomato paste and the palm oil. Bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer, cut the fish into steaks some 3cm thick, add these and cook for 15 minutes. Add the okra and baobab leaves then cook for a further 10 minutes. Season to taste and serve hot on a bed of rice or with fufu.

How Baobab Fits the European Consumer’s Trends 2

In the medical field, there is also a growing demand for natural healthcare products. According to a long-term study performed by the Allensbacher Institut in Germany, the number of consumers who prefers natural healthcare products has increased from 52% in 1970 to 73% in 2002.

Cosmetic products, which contain ingredients aimed at beauty enhancement and skin health, are called cosmeceuticals. This market segment is reporting strong growth. Due to the ever-increasing age of the population, anti-aging creams are in great demand. Here, the antioxidant effect of baobab can be successfully used.

There is a general trend toward a healthier lifestyle. This is the primary reason that consumers search for organically certified products. In 2004, the market for organically certified products grew in Great Britain and Germany by more than 10% (Biofach, 2005). Ethical reasons are also being considered by a growing section of consumers. Fair trade aspects play an increasingly important role in shopping decisions.

Some consumers prefer organic products, because the production process is more environmentally friendly. In a survey of German healthcare product consumers, a great majority stated they were prepared to pay up to 10% more for products that cater to ecological and social issues (Galizia, Schade, Barsch, 2004).

Due to its nutritional and health claims, baobab fruit is an ideal additive for food drink and cosmetic manufacturers in Europe.

How Baobab Fits the European Consumer’s Trends 1

Because of the increasing number of single households, and the fact that not only men, but also working women in the EU spend less time at home, full meals are prepared much less often. In this scenario, modern consumers are not limited to the three traditional meal times, breakfast, lunch and dinner, instead they nibble between meals.

Small between-meal-snacks are popular and there is an increasing demand for convenience food, which is food already prepared or semi-prepared for the consumer. This eating pattern rarely gives a balanced diet, containing all the important nutrients. One answer to this problem is the addition of functional foods like baobab with the goal of promoting good health and compensating for nutritional deficiencies.

In recent years, the interest in probiotic, prebiotic and symbiotic functional foods has grown enormously. Probiotic products are living microbial food supplements, which beneficially affect the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance. The soluble fibers of baobab fruit pulp are prebiotic and probiotic: non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of beneficial micro flora (Gipson and Roberfroid, 1995).

U.K. Consumers Spend £69.4 million On Smoothies

The UK, together with Germany, has the highest spending functional food consumers in Europe (spending nearly € 175 per person annually). Another important health claim for functional food is anti-oxidation.

According to a survey, 73% of the German public would buy enriched foods and drinks with anti-oxidation properties (Anonymous, 2004). In Europe, the concept of smoothies first became popular in UK, where this market was estimated to be 18.7 million liters by volume and £69.4 million retail value in 2003.

Baobab Nutritional Values

50% more calcium than spinach
Carbohydrate
Vitamin B 1.26-0.5mg/100g
Vitamin B 2
Vitamin B 6
Vitamin A C D and E
Iron 0.9-2.3mg/100g
Protein 1.8-2.8%
Fat 0.5-0.6%
Potassium 2.31 mg/100g
Phosphorus 96-118/100g
Crude Fiber 12%
Citric acid 215mg/100g
Tartaric acid 215mg/100g
Malice acid 215mg/100g
Succinct acid 215mg/100g
Ascorbic acid 166-215mg/100g
A-linoleic acid 27 µg
Soluble pectin’s 23.4 to 33.8 g/100g
Febrifuge (anti- pyretic) properties
Zinc-magnesium
Omega Energy 1351-1454kJ/100g