Discovering the Baobab fruit in Senegal – Transjardins (2024)

FAQs

Discovering the Baobab fruit in Senegal – Transjardins? ›

The Baobab is one of the most majestic trees of Africa, very present in Senegal. Its fruit, which is called “monkey bread”, has multiple virtues. It is 2.5 times richer in vitamin C than an orange, contains 2.5 times more calcium than milk and six times more potassium than a banana.

The baobab tree is revered in Senegal, where it is the nation's symbol, as well as throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. Its resilience and size have made it impervious to most of the effects of weather and environment, and it is steeped in mystique, story and legend.

The baobab fruit consists of a floury white pulp containing a black seed. The seed is not consumed. The taste of this fruit is pungent and slightly sweet, it can resemble grapefruit. It is much easier for monkeys to get to the fruit, which is often very high on the tree, hence the name "monkey bread".

The tree is a symbol- a continual reminder to keep your head down and keep moving forward. No one is perfect. Senegalese legend has it that back in the day, entire villages would be built around a Baobab tree because it provides everything the people need to survive, from shelter to food and water.

Baobab Fruit Juice (Jus de Bouye)

It is a succulent, which means that during the rainy season it absorbs and stores water in its vast trunk, enabling it to produce a nutrient-dense fruit in the dry season when all around is dry and arid. This is how it became known as "The Tree of Life". Baobab trees grow in 32 African countries.

In addition to its physical importance the baobab also plays a critical nutritional, medicinal, and spiritual role in Senegal.

Baobab Legends. Along the Zambezi, the tribes believe that when the world was young the Baobabs were upright and proud. However for some unknown reason, they lorded over the lesser growths. The gods became angry and uprooted the Baobabs, thrusting them back into the ground, root upwards.

Cultural Significance

According to local mythology, the Baobab Tree was once a proud and beautiful tree that was punished by the gods for its vanity. The tree was uprooted and planted upside down as a reminder of its arrogance. Today, the Baobab Tree is considered a symbol of humility and resilience.

The Baobab is the seal common to all the institutions of the Republic. The National Police has adopted the Baobab as its own symbol. It is for this reason that it can be seen on the Police's distinctive insignia (badges, shoulder-pieces, logos, etc.).

What is the English name for baobab? ›

Common names for the baobab include monkey-bread tree, upside-down tree, and cream of tartar tree.

What does it taste like? Unlike many other superfoods and supplements, Baobab is completely delicious! It has a sweet, citrussy taste - and is often described as a tangy sherbet.

The magnificent baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) is an icon of the African continent. With bark and fruit offering over 300 life-sustaining uses, it is the root of many Indigenous remedies, traditions, and folklore. Hence its literal nickname, 'The Tree of Life.

Among the emblematic trees are Baobab, Mango tree, and Soursop. These trees hold great cultural and ecological significance in the region. They play vital roles in providing shade, food, and shelter for both wildlife and local communities.

The baobab is revered in Africa and Madagascar as a sacred and mystical tree. Baobabs can live for more than a thousand years and are perhaps among the oldest living things on the planet.