The King of Superfruits + A Vegan Baobab Sweet Potato Spiced Curry [GF]

Move over acai, there’s a new superfood fruit coming to take over!

While there are plenty of fruits out on the market assigned with the prefix of “super” (like the popular elixirs of acai, pomegranate, goji) or some other new powder being crowned as the next best thing, in truth, baobab really is the upcoming fruit to look out for. Chances are, you probably haven’t heard of the word baobab unless you’re from Africa (or some parts of Europe). Like the Maca root, I learned about this interesting and favored fruit during my stay in South Africa. If I can remember correctly, it’s pronounced “bo-bab” – am I bo-rrect? 🙂

Skeptical foodies: Don’t start rolling your eyes yet! This is a positive food with an impressive nutritional profile you’ll want learn more about!

A prevalent fruit in Africa, this exotic fruit is packed with nutritional goodness and has the potential to enhance the nutritional value of just about any dish or beverage. Sure there is no scientific definition of what a “superfruit” or superfood should be, but the baobab fruit is one of the many foods out there that can actually help boost the nutritional quality of our diets and lifestyles.

Awesome Facts About Baobab: 

• Low in calories, sodium and sugar yet high in heart healthy fat fiber
• Has double the amount of antioxidants levels than acai or goji berries according to ORAC tests (it is the king of antioxidants!)
• 6 times more the antioxidant levels of blueberries, cranberries and pomegranates
• High in potassium
• Gram for gram, has roughly 66% more iron than spinach and sprouted greens
• High in Vitamin C – they say up to 6 times more than oranges!
• Excellent source of Vitamin B, A, magnesium, phosphorous, essential fatty acids and zinc
• Calcium rich, twice the amount as milk
• Baobab fruit pulp contains up to 56% water soluble pectin that help with digestion and stabilizing blood sugars
• The pulp contains both insoluble and soluble fibers that promote a healthy gut flora and aid intestinal health

So now you know the amazing nutritional profile this powerful fruit has to offer. It is truly a special fruit. And by special, I’m also referring to the fruit’s birthplace: The fascinating African Baobab Tree (adansonia) also known as the Tree of Life or The Upside Down Tree. An integral part of the African landscapes, these 200-500 year old trees have a stunning (albeit an eerie) silhouette and the striking appearance of it being uprooted and stood on end. In Africa, it is considered the Tree of Life because notably all parts of the tree are used for food, beverages and is the heart of many traditional and medicinal remedies and legends. The evolution of this tree is also extraordinary. During the rainy season, these trees can store water in their trunks which allow them to produce fruit later on in the year, when everything around them is arid and parched. We can see why it’s profoundly a symbol of life and a spiritual significant icon in the African culture.

There’s nothing quite like the power and divinity of Mother Nature.

Give it a year or even a few months when health companies and snack food manufacturers start falling over themselves to incorporate and push baobab into protein bars, smoothies and beverages. Although, from a wellness perspective, using a good quality, ethically and sustainably harvested dried baobab powder in your own meals is always the best way to go!

Baobab Food’s Baobest Baobab’s Fruit Powder is 100% pure nourishment and delightful. The powder contains absolutely no additives, fillers, preservatives, artificial flavouring or added sugars. Their unrefined fruit powder dries naturally on South African trees and then grounded into a fine powder. No freezing, heat pressing or pasteurization methods are used in order to sustain the fruit’s natural benefits. It’s suitable for a variety of different things and when used as a cooking or baking ingredient, can improve and invigorate healthy everyday recipes. You can add a few teaspoons to water, juices, smoothies and brilliant in homemade jams, fruit bars, chia pudding, baked goods…you name it. I also use it to naturally sweeten my green tea when I want the extra tangy kick!  Breakfast is most likely the easiest way to embrace the baobab goodness or you can enjoy this rich, scrumptious grain free, plant based dish while also boosting your immune system and energy at the same time.

This is my beautiful cat: Pharaoh.

He cares about you and believes that you need some Baobest Baobab in your life! 

What you’ll need: 

1 large sweet potato

1 handful of chopped kale (or more!)

1/3 tbsp of organic, virgin coconut oil

Half a small red onion, diced

3 small garlic cloves, crushed and minced

1 tbsp of grated ginger

1/2 tsp of chili powder

1/2 tsp of garam masala powder

1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp of organic cinnamon

1/2 tsp of cumin powder

1/2 tsp of coriander powder or crushed coriander seeds

1/2 tsp of himalayan pink salt

1/4 tsp of turmeric

1 cup of 100% pure organic crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup of organic tomato paste

A squeeze of half a lemon

1 tbsp of Baobest Baobab powder

In a small pot, bring sweet potato to a boil and let soften for about 3-5 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat, drain and cut into desired chunks.

In a pan, melt the coconut oil and saute the onion on low heat for about 8 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and mix for about 4 minutes until fragrant and lightly brown. Add the spices (except the baobab) and stir for another minute or two.

Add the tender sweet potato chunks and chopped tomatoes and allow to cook until it thickens. Add the tomato paste and continue stirring for about 5 minutes. Finally, throw in the chopped kale, baobab powder in the mixture. Squeeze the lemon juice last. Cook for a few more minutes.

Remove from heat and serve with fresh coriander, black pepper, raw baby spinach and sprouts! Enjoy. x