Move over goji and açaí, there's a new kid in town.
Despite having a name that sounds like the early vocalisation of a toddler, when it comes to nutritional qualities baobab (bau-bab) beats many foods hands down with six times the vitamin C of an orange, twice as much calcium as milk and more magnesium than spinach.
Baobab is an exotic fruit from Africa and better suited as an ingredient rather than eaten on its own. Its off-white, powdery fruit pulp looks like sherbet and has a unique tangy taste described as 'caramel pear with subtle tones of grapefruit'. It can be blended with anything and will instantly boost the nutritional value of many products and act as a flavour enhancer.
Back in 2008, EU Novel Foods approval gave the green light to supply the fruit pulp to the UK and Product Junkie is reliably informed it's now on the menu at the Eden Project in Cornwall where one million visitors a year will be treated to Baobab cakes and Baobab Ice Cream in the attraction's café.
It has many uses besides in cakes and ice cream with suggestions including casseroles, sauces, marinades, salad dressings, mayonnaise, desserts, biscuits, muesli, juices, cocktails and smoothies.
Baobab is supplied through a unique partnership between PhytoTrade Africa, the Southern African Natural Products Trade Association dedicated to helping low-income, rural communities by developing ethical and sustainable trade in natural products and Afriplex, a leading South African manufacturer of plant extracts.
The price is £19.00 per kg of conventional baobab pulp powder and £21.50 for the organic version, with discounts for quantities of 5kg and above. Chefs wanting to order baobab or obtain a more detailed product specification should contact the Organic Herb Trading Company (Tel: 01823 401205). Pre-packaged tubs in smaller quantities can be obtained through Marigold Health Foods (Tel: 020 7388 4515).
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