Kaibae means “Hello, how are you? Are you well?” in Kusaal, the language spoken by KAIBAE’s harvesting partners in Ghana. KAIBAE carries a vision inspired by the baobab, also known as the African “Tree of Life.”

KAIBAE was founded by Dr. Luc Maes, Barbara Maes, and Thomas Cole. Together, they bring decades of experience in plant-based medicine, the natural products industry, sustainable agriculture, humanitarian work, and community development. After establishing a supply chain in Northern Ghana 10 years ago, a processing center was built, and they began their work to help preserve biodiversity by revaluing wild plants once considered lost crops™.

Lost Crops™ refers to the native wild plants like baobab, cacay, and kappaphycus that have developed new meaning to communities in Ghana. KAIBAE works directly with local communities to ethically and regeneratively harvest their ingredients. These Lost Crops™ can help promote economic development and the preservation of our planet’s natural resources.

Learn more about KAIBAE’s mission and Lost Crops™:

KAIBAE Blog    |     Lost Crops™ trailer

See the impact and accountability of KAIBAE:

KAIBAE Impact Report

The Baobab: A Superfood

Baobab (Aldansonia digita L.) is one of KAIBAE’s Lost Crops™ and has been given various names including Magic Tree, Chemist Tree, and Symbol of the Earth. It is commonly referred by indigenous people as ambre a palabre, the place in the village where the elders meet to resolve problems. The baobab is a fruit-bearing tree highly regarded in Africa for its medicinal properties and nutritional value.

The utilized parts of the baobab tree are the fruit, leaves, seed, and bark. Each can be used for a variety of products such as food, oil, tea, hair and skincare, weaving material, and medicine. The fruit is especially unique for the drying process that occurs naturally within the pod while still on the tree. It only requires a simple mechanical separation of the powder from the pod, making it a minimally-processed ingredient.

Baobab Fruit Powder Benefits

High in Antioxidants

• Rich source of Vitamin C, Bioflavonoids, Alfa Linolenic acid, and Provitamin A
• Helps protect against cell damage from free radicals (oxidative stress), which is linked to cancer, cardiac disease, early aging, and more

Contains Soluble Fibers

• Contains both water soluble and insoluble fiber
• Prebiotic fiber to help support a healthy microbiome

Source of Polyphenols

• Slows starch digestion to stabilize blood sugar levels
• Reduces glycemic response without lowering satiety

Aids Digestive Tract

• Contains tannins, mucilages, and cellulose to improve mucus lining of intestines
• Provides anti-diarrhea, anti-dysentery, and anti-constipation properties

Anti-inflammatory

• Helps reduce pain (analgesic) and fever (antipyretic)
• Fights several chronic inflammatory illnesses

Natural Nutrient Source

• Abundance of macro and micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, Vitamin E, omega fatty acids, and potassium
• Certified Vegan, Non-GMO, and Gluten-free

Baobab Fruit Powder Applications

Baobab fruit powder can be used as an interesting and versatile excipient for natural products to assist with:

• Lubrication
• Binding
• Dilution

It can be used for a variety of products meant for:

• Weight Management
• Sports Nutrition
• Gut & Digestive Health
• Functional Beverages
• Antioxidant Boosting
• Skin Protection

Learn more about KAIBAE and their Baobab Fruit Powder.