The story behind our baobab smoothies
If you’re in need of some refreshment in the steamy Rainforest Biome this summer, try one of our unusual baobab smoothies.
They’re made from the pods that grow on Africa’s iconic baobab trees – the ones with the stout trunks and spreading canopies.
The trees in our Biome are only tiny, so the fruit in these smoothies come from communities in Southern Africa, who are harvesting the pods to increase their income.
Working in partnership with charity PhytoTrade Africa, families on the continent are harvesting the abundant fruits to help them pay for family healthcare, children’s education and household necessities.
Because they’re earning money from baobab they have an incentive to protect the trees – which is good news for baobab woodlands and the biodiversity that they support.
Traditionally, African people eat the leaves of the baobab, which can be pounded to make a relish. They also use the fibrous bark to make ropes, baskets and fishing nets. But PhytoTrade Africa is encouraging the commercial production of goods which come from the fruit and seeds only, so that the trees aren’t harmed by a large demand for their bark or leaves.
The fruits are large ovoid pods with a woody shell and a velvety yellow-green coating. Inside you can see large, oil-rich seeds, powder and fibres. It’s this powder that goes into the smoothies – and also into the Victoria Sponge cake we sell in several of our cafes.
Drop by our baobab smoothie stall in the Rainforest Biome and you’ll see some of the fruits on display.
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16 responses to The story behind our baobab smoothies
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Can you please tell me how you make your Baobab smoothies? I’ve tasted it at the stall in the Rainforest Biome and it was delicious and so ordered some Yozuna Baobab powder but I’ve tried making smoothies with it and they taste disgusting! What is your secret???
Our chef has suggested you try these two recipes, which he uses here at Eden. Good luck.
Baobab drink
500ml coconut milk
1 litre pineapple juice
5g chopped mint
10g baobab powder
70ml water
40g caster sugar
1. Chop the mint.
2. Blend the coconut and pineapple juice.
3. Boil the sugar and water, add the baobab powder and mix to a smooth liquid, then blend in to the coconut mix.
4. Divide into three containers and divide the chopped mint between.
Baobab smoothie
200ml apple juice
100ml natural yogurt
1 banana, frozen
180g blueberries
10-20g baobab fruit pulp
1 tsp flax seed (optional)
1. Add the yogurt and apple juice together in a food blender, and blitz until smooth.
2. (Flax can be added now. Please note that it my have a slight gritty texture when consumed but the health benefits will outweigh this.)
3. Add banana, baobab pulp and blueberries and blend until smooth.
4. Pour into tall glasses.
The Baobab drink i had was delicious and decided when i get home to make some, i have seen your receipe however this would make a large quantity and would be too much as i live on my own.
Could you suggest what measures i would need to get the same taste for a much smaller amount for instance 500ml – 1 litre in total. (a can of coconut milk is 400ml) in.
Also how long would it last if kept in the fridge and is canned coconut milk ok?
Appreciate your advice otherwise i may be spending alot of time & money trying to get anything similar in taste due to incorrect measurements.
Thank you
Mary
I loved your Baobab smoothies that I tried on my visit to you. I recently purchased more Baobab Powder from Minvita on their website http://www.minvita.co.uk and have been really enjoying taking it every day. Thank you for introducing me to this amazing fruit.
Am also enjoying Babobab powder every day. Also purchased from Minvita and sprinkle on my cereal in the mornings. Sarah
Mary, our chef has come up with a smaller recipe, using 400 ml coconut milk. The measurements would be:
500ml pineapple juice
150ml water
50g sugar
25 g boabab powder
a few mint leafs
Good luck!
I think the sweet/tart flavor of Baobab is yummy! I like to keep my smoothies simple to feature the taste.
1 cup yogurt or kefir
1 cup milk (dairy, soy or rice)
3/4 cup fresh or frozen fruit (mango, banana, blueberries)
15 grams baobab
Blend well.
Baobab is prebiotic, so mixing it with probiotic yougurt, etc. can really boost digestive health.
Also, it can really help to promote gender equality and social justice in producer communities in Africa. Visit http://www.atacoraessential.com for more details!
Loved the Baobab smoothie in the Med Biome and was out the next day to buy the baobab powder at Holland & Barrat. Thanks for the recipe brilliant result.
Just loved the drink at Eden you can buy Baobab powder at Greenlife in Totnes http://www.greenlife.co.uk
HIya is Baobah powder safe for kids 4 years old bought some form holland and barrat too, But just worried because its so high in differant vits is there a possiablity of taking too much vits if having that as well as a averagely heathy diet. HELP please and how much would be an appropiate dose?
I grew up in a town with huge Baobab trees. I don’t recall thinking much of it apart from occasionally helping ourselves as children to a baobab fruit and enjoying the powder. It is wonderful to see it now being enjoyed internationally and also as a source of income generation to lift people out of poverty. I hope though that in the long term the Baobab will not become an endangered species due to corporate greed.
Hi loving the Baobab drink. Does anyone know if it is possible to save any leftover for the next day? (not that there is most of the time!)
We would like to say a BIG thank you to the Eden Project for helping the rural communities in Africa and supporting us with everything you have been doing with Baobab. http://www.theafricanchef.com
We’d say that if you keep it in the fridge it would last about 3 days. We wouldn’t reuse it the following day if it hadn’t been in the fridge.
The tip is to just take out of the fridge what you are going to drink there and then.
Please help me how to make sugar-coated coloured baobab seeds.
We enjoyed our smoothie so much that we are sat in the Eden Deli looking up the recipe! Thank you.