Dear customer You have probably heard of Baobab, the African Superfruit. Maybe you are amongst the thousands of health-conscious consumers who eat Baobab every day. Perhaps you have even formulated and sold products with Baobab in. But we are willing to bet you could still use a little more info about this remarkable fruit. That’s why we’re here! Our mission is to educate the food and beverage industry about Baobab Fruit Powder. Every few weeks we release a newsletter focused on a different attribute of Baobab to help expand your knowledge. Our last two articles generated a lot of interest and, in case you missed them, here they are again: 1. Baobab and Immune Protection in relation to COVID 19 2. Baobab, Responsible Sourcing and Social Impacts Recently we have received requests from formulators for an overview of the kinds of products in which Baobab is currently being used and the recommended inclusion levels as an ingredient. If you work for a finished product brand, co-manufacturer or co-packer, or your role is in product formulation, R&D, NPD or food science, then this article is definitely for you. Baobab Powder Explained Baobab Fruit Powder, often called “the African Superfruit”, earns its place in the superfood category due to its extraordinary nutritional profile. It is unusual in that the fruit pulp comes naturally as a raw powder, without any drying or processing (other than sieving). In its pure form, the powder is sold in health food stores across Europe, North America and Australasia alongside similar products such as Spirulina and Acai. Being mostly soluble, the powder is extremely versatile as an ingredient and is easily incorporated into a wide range of products. Traditionally consumed as an all-round health tonic, Baobab is favoured by formulators and consumers for its rich mineral, vitamin, electrolyte and antioxidant profile. It is also an exceptional source of prebiotic dietary fibre, and is widely used in the prevention and management of Diabetes. The fruit has a subtle, lemon sherbet-like taste which combines readily with other flavours in sweet and savoury applications. Baobab’s increasing popularity is being driven by food and beverage brands looking to capitalise on its reputation as a natural and functional alternative to processed food ingredients. It also has a great back-story in terms of social impact and environmental sustainability at the grass roots level in Africa.. |
|
|
A Guide to Formulating with Baobab Although it started out as a niche product, Baobab Fruit Powder has moved swiftly into the mainstream. Across Europe and North America, it can be found in a wide range of food and beverage products, including energy drinks, smoothies, health bars, breakfast cereals, ice creams, yogurts, baked goods, chocolates and confectionery. Here are a few tips to using Baobab in specific product categories: |
|
|
Energy, Nutrition, Cereal & Fruit Bars Adding Baobab to your health bar will boost fibre content (helping to keep you fuller for longer) and Vitamin C. With relatively high pectin levels, it also helps with binding. The optimum level for health bars is 10-15% Baobab Powder. It can also be incorporated into yoghurt and chocolate coatings and adds a delicious “sweet and sour” tang. Recommended volume: Up to 9 grams of per 60 gram bar |
|
|
Baked Goods (Bread, Biscuits, Crackers) Research studies have demonstrated that even a small amount of Baobab lowers the glycaemic index of baked goods. Although partly associated with the high fibre content, researchers also attribute this to the role played by the polyphenols in Baobab, which accentuate the effect of the fibre to significantly moderate the glycaemic response. Incorporated at between 2% and 5%, Baobab reduces GI without noticeable flavour. Recommended volume: Just 2-5% Baobab added to the dry mix prior to baking |
|
|
Gummies & Candies Baobab adds a gentle citrus taste to gummies and candies without altering the texture. Confectionary brands love its ability to boost the health credentials of a product without any obvious drawbacks. As with the cereal bars, the comparatively high pectin content also helps bind products. Recommended volume: 5-10% of total ingredient weight |
|
|
Chocolate Baobab Powder works perfectly with milk, dark or white chocolate. The result is creamy and rich with a hint of citrus. It works particularly well when paired with nuts or tropical fruit ingredients. Recommended volume: 2-5% of total ingredient weight |
|
|
Cereals & Granolas Baobab Powder provides a completely raw, natural and powerful way of boosting the nutrient density of your breakfast cereals, in particular with fibre and antioxidants. Recommended volume: Up to 20% of the total product weight |
|
|
Sauces, Conserves, Jellies & Jams Baobab Powder is a natural and raw source of fruit pectin (40%), which means it binds and gels when heated just as effectively and efficiently as other more processed pectin products. It also adds a great nutrient profile to your products. Recommended volume: 5-7% of total ingredient weight |
|
|
Frozen Goods (ice cream, lollies, sorbets) As well as providing an antioxidant and vitamin C punch, Baobab Powder brings a refreshing tanginess to frozen desserts and snacks. It also acts a natural thickener adding a natural richness to sauces and toppings. Recommended volume: Up to 30 grams of per 500 ml |
|
|
Single Strength Beverages Baobab Powder works excellently in single strength beverages. Being 88% soluble, it dilutes in water with minimal phase separation or sedimentation. And its citric flavour profile replaces the need to add processed citric acid. Recommended volume: Up to 12 grams per 500 ml |
|
|
Cloudy Fruit Juices Higher concentrations of Baobab Powder can be used in thicker beverages of the same consistency as cloudy fruit juices. The higher viscosity enables the 12% insoluble dietary fibres to be held in suspension. Recommended volume: Up to 22 grams per 500 ml |
|
|
Smoothies & Yogurts Thicker liquids such as smoothies and yogurts can absorb higher levels of Baobab Powder. The taste profile perfectly complements the sweeter fruit ingredients and its prebiotic properties make it an ideal partner in products promoting a probiotic effect. Recommended volume: Up to 30 grams of per 500 ml |
|
|
Powdered Drink Mixes Baobab Powder can be used on its own as a drink mix (which is how it is traditionally consumed in Africa). However, many brands are combining it with other superfood powders or functional ingredients such as gum acacia. It is being added to powdered drink mixes at levels of over 30%. Recommended volume: 12 grams or more per 40 gram serving |
|
|
About EcoProducts B'Ayoba
A joint venture between two leading Baobab Fruit producers, EcoProducts/B’Ayoba is Africa's only FairWild, Organic and FSSC 22000 Version 4.1 certified Baobab operation. We have impeccable social-impact credentials, providing a much-needed supplemental income to over 4,500 registered rural African harvesters and their families. Our supply chains are fully traceable and sustainable, with environmental and training programs in place to protect the Baobab Tree populations. As a result, we are a member of the Union for Ethical Biotrade. Our facility in South Africa has been audited under the FDA’s Foreign Suppler Verification Program (FSVP), a key requirement for all importers to the US. - For US, Canadian & Latin American customers, we deliver from our Long Beach (California) warehouse.
- For European and Middle Eastern customers, we deliver from our Bodegraven (Netherlands) warehouse.
- For Asian and Australasian customers, we ship directly from South Africa.
|
|
|
We hope you found this information useful. Promoting and formulating with Baobab Fruit Powder is all about knowledge, and our team has decades of combined experience to support you and your business in your efforts. Contact us to discuss any aspects of Baobab nutrition, functionality, new product development, research, PR, marketing or social impacts. Our team is ready to answer all of your questions, as well as provide you with samples, specifications and pricing. We look forward to working with you. |
|
|
Henry Johnson Sales Manager Tel: +44 7921 137595 EcoProducts B'Ayoba Web: baobabexports.com |
|
|
|
|
