Baobab Fruit Powder and a Tangy Raspberry, Coconut and Baobab Smoothie

Baobab fruit powder. Ever heard of it? Well I hadn't, but as it turns out it's very nutritious and good for you. 

It's made from the fruit of the Baobab tree, which is known in Africa as The Tree of Life. It's also known as the 'upside down tree' because the branches look like roots sticking up in the air. 

I was sent a few sachets of baobab fruit powder from the Eden Project, to try. It's quite a fine, yellow powder that tastes a bit citrussy - imagine a softer-flavoured clementine but sweeter and tangier and you've more or less got it. 

You can blend the powder into smoothies, juices or sprinkle over yoghurt. I've done a bit of trawling online and found that people also stir it into porridge, stews and curries as well. Basically you can use a sprinkling of baobab powder when you need a bit of a pick me up - it's packed full of antioxidants, vitamin C and fibre, so I'm told. It also seems to have a good amount of calcium, too. 

As I was making a smoothie I decided to add the baobab powder to it and see what it was like. I chose raspberries which pair well with citrus flavours in general, and used the usual coconut milk and frozen fruits. 

Raspberry, Coconut and Baobab Smoothie
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 x 400ml can coconut milk
Handful frozen raspberries
half a banana, frozen
1 x 5g sachet of baobab fruit powder
1 chunky slice frozen papaya

Method
Combine all ingredients in a large jug or blender and blitz until smooth. Pour into glasses and enjoy cold. 

Ever tried baobab fruit powder? How do you use it in recipes?