Baobab certainly seems to be having a moment. It’s been declared the ‘superfood’ du jour by the media and is popping up all over the shops. It boasts one of the highest antioxidant contents of any fruit and is one of the most nutrient-dense raw foods full stop. This is great for overall health and skin. The latest baobab product to hit the shelves is Chosan’s Bouye, a healthy baobab drink, made from natural ingredients with no artificial additives. The Chosan bottle states:

“The fruit has more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, and more potassium and magnesium than bananas.”

In your face wheatgrass. Known as the ‘Tree of Life’ baobab has been grown and eaten in Africa for an eternity and is used to treat a number of ailments. If you’ve never seen a mighty baobab tree here’s what they look like (tree-hugger that I am, any excuse to show a tree 🙂 They are pretty incredible trees that can live for over a thousand years and unlike most fruits, have not been modified by humans.  Chosan, which means cultural heritage in Wolof (the main language spoken in Senegal and The Gambia), is an independent company started by Eliza Jones. After retiring, instead of putting her feet up and with no previous experience in the food industry, she decided to set up the business to share the natural, authentic flavours from The Gambia where her roots are. The baobab used by Chosan is ethically sourced from a woman’s co-operative in Senegal. The aim is to be a social enterprise that improves conditions for the local farmers by using their produce in goods with a longer shelf life. Apart from bouye they also make wonjo, a hibiscus drink which I’ll be sharing in a forthcoming post.

So all good stuff but how does it taste you ask? To me, the bouye baobab drink tasted like a delicious mix of pear, apple and pineapple juice with a hint of sherbet. You’ll have to try it yourself! It gives a natural energy boost in the mornings. Apart from drinking, I also found bouye tasty used as a vegan’milk’ for overnight oats and grains.

Do note that like all bottled drinks, the contents are pasteurised for safety which does mean a little of the nutritional benefits, especially heat-sensitive Vitamin C, is lost.  The same applies to ALL non-freshly squeezed juice you buy.

Looking for a new healthy taste sensation, check out Chosan! Bouye, 250ml, RRP £3.50. Chosan have a stall on Sundays at Ropewalk’s market (41 Maltby Street, Bermondsey, London, SE1 3PA)

For further information on stockists visit www.chosan.co.uk