Baobab fruit pulp powder (baobab powder) is my latest discovery. The product is making a career on the British market (here’s a video – click). It’s advertised as an exceptionally rich source of vitamin C, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Baobab fruits ripen on the tree, and their pulp dries naturally. The contents of ripe fruits are ground into a powder that has a slightly creamy color and tart taste. It dissolves well in liquids and can be added to yogurt, fruit smoothies, juice, oatmeal, baked goods…

Since I no longer rush mindlessly into all products advertised as super foods like I used to (I learned caution with goji berries, details to read here – click ), I devoted some time and analyzed the composition of this miraculous powder. The vitamin C and iron content isn’t overwhelming, but it’s not bad either, roughly at the same level as in parsley leaves, and as we know, iron is well absorbed in the company of vitamin C. For comparison, rose hips, sea buckthorn, or black currants contain several times more vitamin C.  However, the potassium content is truly impressive, 2188 mg per 100g, which is considerably more than apricots, figs, bananas, and tomatoes, which are listed as the best sources of potassium. There’s slightly more calcium than in milk. The high content of calcium, potassium, and magnesium means that baobab has an alkalizing effect, meaning it deacidifies very well. Moreover, it’s a good source of fiber: 45 g per 100 g of product (as much as wheat bran).

I think it’s worth purchasing at least one jar of this stuff and naturally supplementing deficiencies after winter. It’s always better than supplements from the pharmacy. 

Below is my suggestion for using baobab fruit powder. A very nutritious shake or smoothie (whichever you prefer). In warmer seasons, it can successfully replace breakfast. My version is quite caloric because I add nuts. In a lighter version, we can skip this ingredient.

Green Smoothie with Baobab

1 very ripe banana
1/4 medium pineapple
handful of spinach or kale leaves (stems removed)
200 ml water
1 teaspoon chia seeds (Spanish sage)
2 teaspoons baobab fruit powder
handful of cashews (preferably soaked in water for a few hours) or 1 tablespoon favorite nut butter (without additives)

Peel the fruits, cut out the tough core from the pineapple and cut into small pieces.
Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until you achieve a velvety consistency.  If the smoothie is too thick, add water and blend briefly once more.

Enjoy!