Baobab Ginger Tea

This baobab and ginger tea is the perfect cold and flu season tea. It is packed with antioxidants, multivitamins and nutrients that support your immune system, and overall health.

What is baobab

Baobab is indigenous to the African continent, Madagascar and Australia, where it stands as some of the world’s oldest trees. It holds a lot of importance in various African cultures as a symbol of wisdom and longevity. Despite its age, mature baobab trees flower and fruit every year, providing a delicious fruit that is packed with nutrients.

The health benefits of baobab

There are said to be over three hundred traditional uses of this tree documented across the African continent, providing food, medicine and livelihoods of many. The baobab fruit is high in vitamin C, which some say is about 7-10 times that of oranges, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. The calcium content in the fruit is so high that it can serve as a good source of calcium for breastfeeding mothers. The fruit is also packed with flavonoids, which are a form of antioxidants. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals in the body, which can damage cells and DNA and potentially cause cancer. Including antioxidants in your diet helps to reduce the risk of cellular and DNA damage.

Baobab fruit uses

The baobab fruit is tart and similar to tamarind or even lime. It is why some call it the cream of tartar tree because of the sour fruit flavour. But fret not, the fruit does have a sweet undertone that makes it pleasant to enjoy. Traditionally, the dried baobab fruit is soaked in water to make a thick, smoothie-like drink. The drink is mixed with more sweetener, juice or milk and sold as a cold, refreshing beverage. When I visited northern Ghana, we always started our day with baobab and moringa tea, which is a tradition I have carried with me to Canada. However, instead of combining baobab and moringa, I split the ingredients into two separate teas. You can check out the moringa tea here. To keep this as a true cold and flu tea, I have added ginger for its health benefits.

What you need for this baobab ginger tea.

1. Baobab Fruit Powder. You can source the fruit from any health food store or online retailer. Make sure it is the fruit powder not the leaf powder. The leaf powder is like okro and used for soups.
2. Ginger. Fresh ginger is best but dry can work too
3. Liquid sweetener. You can use maple syrup, agave, date syrup or honey.
4. Hot water.

Other refreshing and health boosting drinks to check out

• Sobolo: Authentic Ghanaian spiced hibiscus drink
• Spiced Tamarind Drink: A popular spiced tamarind drink enjoyed in Ghana
• Moringa Lemon Tea
• Health Boosting Spiced Hibiscus Tea