Truckloads of Baobab leaves for West Africans

Baobab leave stew in Ghana, West Africa

“I always wondered what the fuss was about dried baobab leaves in West Africa,” says Dr Sarah Venter.

“In Southern and East Africa baobab leaves are known to be eaten but it is not very common. In West Africa however, stories abound of smuggling and theft of truckloads of baobab leaves from one country to another, one would have thought it was contraband! “she chuckles.

The leaves are eaten throughout the year either fresh in the summer or dried in the winter months.  They are apparently part of every dish and sold in markets in all towns and cities.

So, what’s the fuss?  Why in West Africa and not elsewhere?  Do they taste different, do they have special powers, are they more nutritious or is it simply a difference in food culture?

Baobab leaves produce a lot of mucilage and has almost the same texture as Okra.

Finally, during a recent visit to Ghana I discovered the secret.  When you cook baobab leaves, they produce a huge amount of mucilage, much more than Okra, my only reference point of a similar texture. And the answer in my opinion … it is a difference in food culture.

Continue reading....

Find more interesting articles below

where do you go with the baobab fruit?

where do you go with the baobab fruit?

Last week while on a photo shoot in Venda,  the harvesters asked me where I went with all the baobab fruit I buy from them.  So I said, why don’t you come and see?  We worked out the taxi money from Venda and back and set a date for the following Thursday.   The women […]

Read more
Baobab in Healthbox SA

Baobab in Healthbox SA

We think this is such a cool concept! Each month, subscribers to Health Box SA are sent a luxurious combination of health, fitness and wellness products. Each item has been tried, tested and tasted by a panel of experts to ensure that what lands up on subscribers’ doorsteps are the latest, trusted and best-for-you products […]

Read more
Famous Baobabs: Chapman’s Baobab

Famous Baobabs: Chapman’s Baobab

This well-known tree has many documented references to it in the journals of early travellers and foreign explorers to the region, many of whom left inscriptions on its massive trunk which can still be seen today. The tree even served as an unofficial post office for these 19th-century explorers.

Read more