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| New exotic fruit to hit UK shops | New exotic fruit to hit UK shops |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An unusual fruit from a native African tree, the baobab, is to be available in the UK after being approved by the EU. | An unusual fruit from a native African tree, the baobab, is to be available in the UK after being approved by the EU. |
| The fruit, contained in a hard nut, has six times more vitamin C than oranges and twice as much calcium as milk. | The fruit, contained in a hard nut, has six times more vitamin C than oranges and twice as much calcium as milk. |
| African people have eaten the fruit for thousands of years, but Europeans will consume its pulp as an ingredient in smoothies and cereal bars. | African people have eaten the fruit for thousands of years, but Europeans will consume its pulp as an ingredient in smoothies and cereal bars. |
| Since 1997, foods not commonly consumed in the EU have had to be formally approved before going on sale. | Since 1997, foods not commonly consumed in the EU have had to be formally approved before going on sale. |
| The baobab tree grows throughout Africa and has many different uses. | The baobab tree grows throughout Africa and has many different uses. |
| The leaves can be eaten as relish and the fruit dissolved in milk or water and used as a drink. The seeds also yield an edible oil and can be eaten raw or roasted. | The leaves can be eaten as relish and the fruit dissolved in milk or water and used as a drink. The seeds also yield an edible oil and can be eaten raw or roasted. |
| The fruit, bark and leaves of the tree are used to treat medical problems including fevers and kidney disease. | The fruit, bark and leaves of the tree are used to treat medical problems including fevers and kidney disease. |
| The EU decision is a crucial step to developing the global market which could be worth up to £500m a year Gus Le BretonPhytoTrade Africa | The EU decision is a crucial step to developing the global market which could be worth up to £500m a year Gus Le BretonPhytoTrade Africa |
| However, EU customers will not be able to try out the many traditional uses of the tree and its fruit, which is six to eight inches (15cm to 20cm) long. | However, EU customers will not be able to try out the many traditional uses of the tree and its fruit, which is six to eight inches (15cm to 20cm) long. |
| The fruit will be removed from its nut and the pulp, which is white, powdery and has a cheese-like texture, will be used as an ingredient in products such as cereal bars. | The fruit will be removed from its nut and the pulp, which is white, powdery and has a cheese-like texture, will be used as an ingredient in products such as cereal bars. |
| Employment | Employment |
| The non-profit trade association which has been lobbying for the EU approval, PhytoTrade Africa, hopes the demand for the fruit will mean employment for millions of African people. | |
| Gus Le Breton, the association's chief executive, said: "The EU decision is a crucial step to developing the global market which could be worth up to £500m a year. | |
| "Dozens of companies have shown interest in baobab since we submitted the application and many have already conducted initial research. | "Dozens of companies have shown interest in baobab since we submitted the application and many have already conducted initial research. |
| "Now that approval has been given, they can progress to full-scale product development." | "Now that approval has been given, they can progress to full-scale product development." |
| The baobab tree can live for 1,000 years. Its trunk can grow up to 50ft (15m) in circumference and reach a height of 98ft (30m). | |
| Some baobabs, which are 80% water, are hollow and have been used as bars, shops and even prisons. | Some baobabs, which are 80% water, are hollow and have been used as bars, shops and even prisons. |