Botanical name: Adansonia digitata
Common name: Baobab, Monkey Bread Tree, Cream of Tartar, Upside-down Tree
Baobab fruit is being launched into the North American market as a result of a unique collaboration between PhytoTrade Africa, Afriplex and Herbal Teas International. PhytoTrade Africa, the Southern African Natural Products Trade Association is a prominent supplier of ethically sourced African natural ingredients with offices in Africa and Europe. Afriplex is a specialized manufacturer of plant extracts with state-of-the-art extraction facilities in South Africa. Herbal Teas International is a US-based distributor of unique African botanicals with a 10-year history of outstanding service to the industry.
The Baobab is perhaps the best-known of all African trees. Its distinctive silhouette, with unusual root-like branches, has become an icon of the African continent. To local people it is the “Tree of Life”, a tree with so many different uses that every part of it has a unique value. Its broad trunk, crooked branches and large, velvety fruit create an enduring impression of Africa.
The Baobab tree is found throughout Africa, generally at low altitudes and in the hotter, drier areas. The Latin name for Baobab, Andansonia digitata, is in honor of the French botanist, Michael Adanson, who concluded that out of all the trees he had studied, the Baobab, “is probably the most useful tree of all”.
Baobab fruit pulp is a very important nutritional supplement with interesting medicinal properties and is best-known for its high vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) content and is thus often given as a calming agent against fever. The pulp also contains high values of carbohydrates, calcium, potassium, thiamine and nicotinic acid. Most significant is the Integral Antioxidant Capacity (IAC), which is due to the presence of ascorbic, citric, tartaric, malic and succinic acids. Other essential vitamins present are riboflavin and niacin. In addition, the pulp contains 23% pectin making it an important binding and diluting ingredient.
"The baobab was amongst the first trees to appear on the land. Next came the slender, graceful palm tree. The baobab saw the palm tree and cried out that it wanted to be taller. Then the beautiful flame tree appeared with its red flower and the baobab was envious for flower blossoms. When the baobab saw the magnificent fig tree, it prayed for fruit as well. The gods became angry with the tree and pulled it up by its roots, then replanted it upside down to keep it quiet."
- African Folklore
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