Baobab, superfruit from Africa
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More and more special fruits appear on our plates, brimming with healthy nutrients: superfruit. After goji berries and mangosteen, baobab is the new super fruit. At least with us. Africans have been eating it for centuries. What is it, where does it come from and what can you use it for?
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The baobab or monkey bread tree is the thickest tree in the world and grows on the African savannas; from Namibia to Mozambique and South Africa. In Africa it is often planted in parks and in other parts of the world we see the tree more and more often. It is actually not a tree but a fiber plant. They can store up to 120,000 liters of water and can therefore survive on the dry savannas. According to experts, they can live for more than 1000 years.
Nutrients and fiber
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The baobab tree is one of the most important food sources in dry Africa where not much else grows. It is not called the 'Tree of Life' for nothing. Locals have used the leaves and fruits for thousands of years for their high nutrient content. They eat them fresh or dried. The pulp of the fruit contains a lot of fiber, which is used to make porridge or bread (hence the name monkey bread tree). Baobab fruit is very nutritious and packed with vitamins, antioxidants and minerals. For example, the fruits contain more vitamin C than an orange.
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11 minMain dishpeanut oil, tofu stir-fry cubes finely seasoned, stir fry sauce sweet and sour, thick noodles, carrot julienne, beetroot julienne, yellow bell pepper, watercress,rainbow salad with tofu -
45 minMain dishRed cabbage, mild olive oil, quinoa plus, forest outing, lemon, sesame oil, soy sauce less salt, Bio Today tahini white in pot, tap water,grilled red cabbage with quinoa salad -
30 minDessertBrie, Roquefort, port salut, gruyere, Camembert, walnut, garlic, thyme, honey, grape, baguette, Red onion, red grape, raisins, Red wine, Red wine vinegar, Brown sugar,generous cheese plate with onion marmalade -
30 minDessertFull Milk, whipped cream, macaroon, custard powder, vanilla sugar, sugar, protein, amaretto, almond liqueur, basic recipe cooking pears,macaroon pastry with casserole
Satisfied feeling
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Precisely because of its high nutrient content, the fruit is also gaining popularity in our regions. Baobab is hardly available fresh from us. We therefore have to make do with powder and tablets. Because of the fibers, it quickly gives a satisfied feeling. It is used as part of a low-calorie diet and as a daily dietary supplement for sports, fatigue or high blood sugar. The pulp of the baobab fruit contains: six times more vitamin C than oranges six times more antioxidants than black currants twice as much antioxidants as goji berries twice as much calcium as milk six times more potassium than bananas more iron than red meat more fiber than fruits like apples, apricots or bananas
How do you use it?
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You can use the powder in smoothies, yogurt, with breakfast cereals or in a glass of fruit juice. For example, make a smoothie with a handful of spinach, a small cucumber, half an avocado, a banana, a mango and a tablespoon of baobab powder. Tasty and super healthy. But you can also add it to cake batter, bread or pancakes.