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The African [[Baobab_fruit|baobab's exotic fruit]] (6 to 8 inches, or 15 cm to 20 cm long) has twice as much [[calcium]] as milk, is high in [[anti-oxidants]], iron and potassium, and has 6 times the [[vitamin C]] of an orange. The leaves can be eaten as [[relish]], while the fruit dissolved in milk or water can be used as a drink. The seeds also produce [[edible oil]].
The African [[Baobab_fruit|baobab's exotic fruit]] (6 to 8 inches, or 15 cm to 20 cm long) has twice as much [[calcium]] as milk, is high in [[anti-oxidants]], iron and potassium, and has 6 times the [[vitamin C]] of an orange. The leaves can be eaten as [[relish]], while the fruit dissolved in milk or water can be used as a drink. The seeds also produce [[edible oil]].


In 2008, the [[EU]] approved the use and consumption of baobab fruit as an ingredient in cereal bars and [[smoothies]]. A nonprofit organization, PhytoTrade Africa, plans to market the fruit for the benefit of around 2.5 million of the poorest families in southern Africa.<ref>[http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g8aVYrwYmScGjqim-6adw-RZGbtg ukpress.google.com, Exotic fruit cleared for UK sale]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7506997.stm news.bbc.co.uk, New exotic fruit to hit UK shops]</ref>
In 2008, the [[EU]] approved the use and consumption of baobab fruit as an ingredient in [[smoothies]] and cereal bars [http://www.acnfp.gov.uk/assess/fullapplics/baobab Food Standards Agency website].
The FDA granted [[GRAS]] status to Baobab Dried Fruit Pulp as a food ingredient in 2009 [http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/GenerallyRecognizedasSafeGRAS/GRASListings/ucm174945.htm FDA webpage].
A nonprofit organization, PhytoTrade Africa, plans to market the fruit for the benefit of around 2.5 million of the poorest families in southern Africa.<ref>[http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g8aVYrwYmScGjqim-6adw-RZGbtg ukpress.google.com, Exotic fruit cleared for UK sale]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7506997.stm news.bbc.co.uk, New exotic fruit to hit UK shops]</ref>


To grow ''A. digitata'' from a seed, cutting into the thick seed coat greatly speeds up germination, from months or years to seven days.
To grow ''A. digitata'' from a seed, cutting into the thick seed coat greatly speeds up germination, from months or years to seven days.

Revision as of 13:41, 1 September 2009

Adansonia digitata
Baobab tree in Tanzania
Secure
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Malvales
Family:
Malvaceae
Genus:
Adansonia
Species:
A. digitata
Binomial name
Adansonia digitata
young tree in Hyderabad, India.

Adansonia digitata, the baobab, is the most widespread of the Adansonia species on the African continent, found in the hot, dry savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. It also grows, having spread secondary to cultivation, in populated areas. The northern limit of its distribution in Africa is associated with rainfall patterns; only on the Atlantic coast and in the Sudan does its occurrence venture naturally into the Sahel. On the Atlantic coast this may be due to spreading after cultivation. Its occurrence is very limited in Central Africa and it is found only in the very north of Southern Africa. In Eastern Africa the trees grow also in shrublands and on the coast. In Angola and Namibia the baobabs grow in woodlands, and in coastal regions, in addition to savannahs.

Leaves in Hyderabad, India.

The trees usually grow as solitary individuals, and are large and distinctive trees on the savannah, in the scrub, and near settled areas, with some large individuals living to well over a thousand years of age. A specimen in Limpopo Province, South Africa, often considered the largest example alive, has a circumference of 47 metres (154 ft) and an average diameter of 15 metres (49 ft). Carbon dating has been used to estimate the age of the specimens at approximately 6000 years.[1]

The tree bears very large, heavy white flowers. The showy flowers are pendulous with a very large number of stamens. They carry a carrion scent and researchers have shown they appear to be primarily pollinated by fruit bats of the subfamily Pteropodinae. The fruits are filled with pulp that dries, hardens, and falls to pieces which look like chunks of powdery, dry bread.[2]

The specific epithet digitata refers to the fingers of a hand, which the five leaflets (typically) in each cluster bring to mind.

The baobab is a traditional food plant in Africa, but is little-known elsewhere. It has been suggested that the vegetable has the potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare.[3]

Vernacular names

Adansonia digitata is known by many names, the most common of which is baobab. It is also known as the 'dead-rat tree' (from the appearance of the fruits), 'monkey-bread tree' (the soft, dry fruit is edible), 'upside-down tree' (the sparse branches resemble roots) and cream of tartar tree. In French, it is known as calebassier du Sénégal and arbre de mille ans; in Portuguese as molambeira, imbondeiro, calabaceira and cabacevre; and in Swahili as mbuyu, mkuu hapingwa, mkuu hafungwa and muuyu.[4]

It is called "Momret" in the Tigrigna language of Ethiopia, where it favors lowland areas with moist and well-drained soils, such as the valley of the Tekeze River lowlands.[5] A. digitata is called "Kuka" by the Hausa speaking people of West Africa. In Nigeria it is a very popular tree in the savannahs up North and its leaves are used to prepare local soup called "miyan kuka".In Sudan the tree is called "tabaldi" and its fruit is called "gongu laze".

Fruit

The African baobab's exotic fruit (6 to 8 inches, or 15 cm to 20 cm long) has twice as much calcium as milk, is high in anti-oxidants, iron and potassium, and has 6 times the vitamin C of an orange. The leaves can be eaten as relish, while the fruit dissolved in milk or water can be used as a drink. The seeds also produce edible oil.

In 2008, the EU approved the use and consumption of baobab fruit as an ingredient in smoothies and cereal bars Food Standards Agency website.

The FDA granted GRAS status to Baobab Dried Fruit Pulp as a food ingredient in 2009 FDA webpage.

A nonprofit organization, PhytoTrade Africa, plans to market the fruit for the benefit of around 2.5 million of the poorest families in southern Africa.[6][7]

To grow A. digitata from a seed, cutting into the thick seed coat greatly speeds up germination, from months or years to seven days.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Adansonia digitata.

References

  1. ^ "Big Baobab Facts". Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  2. ^ National Research Council (2008-01-25). "Baobab". Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits. Lost Crops of Africa. Vol. 3. National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-10596-5. Retrieved 2008-07-15. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help); External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ National Research Council (2006-10-27). "Baobab". Lost Crops of Africa: Volume II: Vegetables. Lost Crops of Africa. Vol. 2. National Academies Press. ISBN 978-0-309-10333-6. Retrieved 2008-07-15. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |origdate= (help); External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (2004) Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen; Backhuys, Leiden; CTA, Wageningen.
  5. ^ "Wild Food Plants Attracting Additional Consumer Categories": Adansonia digitata (Famine Food Guide website)
  6. ^ ukpress.google.com, Exotic fruit cleared for UK sale
  7. ^ news.bbc.co.uk, New exotic fruit to hit UK shops
Wikispecies has information related to Adansonia digitata.
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