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                      On the Wave of the Next Food Trend: 10 African Superfoods

                      Published by Grace O
                      Moringa Shrimp 150

                      Shrimp and Moringa Curry

                      Foodies are always looking for the Next Big Thing. At one time that was Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Mideastern specialties such as hummus and falafel have now found their way to American menus. Here’s my prediction: in the near future we will all be enjoying foods from various countries on the African continent.

                      A number of years ago, I discovered baobab, the fruit from an odd-looking tree native to Africa and Madagascar that contains high levels of fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and iron. The tree itself is called ‘The Tree of Life ’because, besides providing nutritious fruit, it also provides water, shelter and material from which cloth can be made.  The tart fruit is dried, ground into powder and added to smoothies, stews and baked goods for nutritional punch. In my latest book, The Age Beautifully Cookbook, there’s a recipe for Baobab Butter Squares, which are like lemon bars, but I like the refreshing tart taste from baobab fruit even better.

                      Baobab-squares-horizonta-crop-768x1024crop

                      Baobab Butter Squares

                      For many years I have known about the benefits of moringa, which is a plant commonly found on the Indian sub-continent, but also grows in Africa, Asian and even in California. I grow it in pots at home and eat it every day.

                      Moringa is valuable as a source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals as well as providing antioxidants to help prevent cell damage. I use the leaves in soups, salads and stir-fry dishes and created a Moringa Chiffon Muffin recipe for my cookbook.

                      Moringa Muffins Horizontal

                      Moringa Muffins

                      You can easily find it in powder form in health food stores and on Amazon. Moringa powder is also easy to add to drinks, sauces, main dishes, desserts and even candy to boost nutrition. My Shrimp and Moringa Curry recipe is from the entrée chapter of my first cookbook, the  Age Gracefully Cookbook. The moringa blends easily in this flavorful dish and makes it an even better nutritional value.

                      This got me to thinking: What other superfoods are found in Africa and how might they be used? Here are some to consider trying:

                      Teff an ancient grain superfood

                      Teff – A grain grown mostly in Ethiopia and Eritrea, a cup of cooked teff contains as much calcium as half a cup of spinach—123 mg. It’s also high in protein, iron, and vitamin C, which is unusual for a grain. Teff’s tiny seeds are usually ground into flour and made into traditional Ethiopian flat, crepe-like bread called injera. Bob’s Red Mill sells teff flour.

                      fonio

                      Fonio – Another grain, this one from Senegal, fonio thrives in desert climates and is related to millet. It’s high in amino acids, the building blocks of protein and is used to make porridge, in salads and stews. Bob’s Red Mill also sells fonio, and you’ll find more brands in health food stores and on Amazon.

                      Amaranth popping, gluten-free, high protein grain cereal

                      Amaranth – The grain and the leaves of this plant are commonly eaten in Kenya and Uganda. Amaranth contains 30 percent more protein than other widely consumed grains like rice, sorghum and rye. Replace 25 percent of the flour in baking with amaranth flour for a sweet, nutty taste with higher nutrition than wheat flour. You can find amaranth flour on Amazon and from Bob’s Red Mill.

                      Pumpkin in field

                      Pumpkin Leaves – Squashes of all kinds are grown and enjoyed in Africa, but pumpkin leaves are highly nutritious and versatile. In Nigeria they are eaten either fresh or dried. They can be sautéed with garlic, steamed like spinach, used in stir fries and in stews. Pumpkin leaves contain healthy doses of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, and iron, as well as folate, potassium, and some B vitamins.

                      To cook, be sure to use the youngest, most tender leaves and peel away the tiny ‘thorns’ that appear on the stems. Pumpkin leaves are delicious chopped and blanched with tomatoes in a small amount of salted water. Add peanut butter and a little cayenne pepper and stir for an authentic vegan African dish.

                      Moringa leaf and seed grinded on white background

                      Moringa – The hearty moringa tree is in full leaf at the end of Namibia’s dry season, when other food sources are scarce. The leaves, while highly nutritious, taste strongly of chlorophyll, so they are most often dried and ground into powder, which is high in protein, calcium, iron and vitamins C and A. Soups and stews are especially good vehicles for adding moringa.

                      Malagasy baobab fruit in a food market

                      Baobab Fruit – Grown on whimsical, upside-down looking trees in southern Africa, the fruit is very dry, so it can keep for a very long time, but in the U.S., it’s more commonly sold as a powder. Baobab has 10 times the fiber of apples and is a good source of potassium, magnesium, iron and antioxidants. Buy the powder from retailers like Whole Foods or order from Amazon.

                      tamarind fruit on the table

                      Tamarind – This tropical tree grows in African rain forests and the fruit comes out of pods, similar to legumes. It features a sweet and sour flavor that can be made into a refreshing drink that helps restore electrolyte balance and has been known to help cure hangovers. The juice and pulp are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Besides African, tamarind is found in many cuisines including Indian, Pakistani and Mideastern. Interestingly, it’s a key ingredient in Worcestershire sauce.

                      Coconut on wooden table.Organic healthy food concept.Beauty and SPA concept.

                      Coconut – Grown in east Africa, coconuts are also found in tropical regions all over the world. They contain healthful fatty-acids that are good for brain function and though the fat they contain is saturated, it provides accessible energy. Creamy coconut milk acts as a natural antiviral. Like tamarind, coconut water is a great electrolytic drink, rehydrating the body at a cellular level.

                      kenkeliba1

                      Kenkiliba – A shrub from which leaves are dried and made into tea, the resulting beverage is beneficial to digestion and for natural detoxification. Some West African Muslims drink kenkiliba tea to break their fast during Ramadhan. You can find the tea in Mideastern specialty markets and on Amazon.

                      Cup of hibiscus tea on the leaves, panorama

                      Hibiscus – Juice from the hibiscus flower is added to hot or boiling water, for a deep red, tangy ‘tea’ beverage. Drinking hibiscus tea reduces inflammation in the body and can help reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and boost the immune system. It’s delicious hot or iced.

                      You heard it here first! African superfoods are the next trend to promote your health and satisfy your adventurous taste buds.

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                      Grace O
                      Grace O
                      GRACE O is the creator of FoodTrients, a unique program for optimizing wellness and longevity. She is the author of three award-winning cookbooks – The Age Gracefully Cookbook, The Age Beautifully Cookbook, and Anti-Aging Dishes From Around the World. She is a fusion chef with a mission to deliver delicious recipes built on a foundation of anti-aging science and her 30 years in the healthcare industry.

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                      This website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. FoodTrients – A Recipe for Aging Beautifully Grace O, author and creator of FoodTrients® -- a philosophy, a cookbook and a resource -- has a new cookbook dedicated to age-defying and delicious recipes, The Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World, which provides one hundred-plus recipes that promote health and well-being. The recipes are built on foundations of modern scientific research and ancient knowledge of medicinal herbs and natural ingredients from around the world. Since the publication of her first anti-aging book, The Age GRACEfully Cookbook, Grace O has identified eight categories of FoodTrients benefits (Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune Booster, Disease Prevention, Beauty, Strength, Mind, and Weight Loss) that are essential to fighting aging, which show how specific foods, herbs, and spices in the recipes help keep skin looking younger, prevent the diseases of aging, and increase energy and vitality. Grace O combines more exotic ingredients that add age-fighting benefits to familiar recipe favorites.

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