Bouye (Senegalese Baobab Fruit Drink)
In short: A creamy, pale drink of baobab fruit powder whisked with water, milk and sugar, with a gentle citrus sourness, served ice cold. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 140 kcal
Bouye is a creamy, pale drink made from the pulp of the baobab fruit, a regular sight at Senegalese markets and street stalls. The dry, powdery pulp has a gentle citrus sourness, and it is blended with water, milk and sugar into a cold, slightly thick drink. Vendors sell it in small bags or cups. Baobab fruit powder keeps for months and is sold in African food shops and online.
Instructions
- Put the baobab powder in a blender with half the water. Blend for 30 seconds until smooth, scraping down the sides.
- Add the remaining water, the milk, sugar and vanilla and blend for another 30 seconds until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour the drink through a fine sieve into a jug, pressing out the liquid with a spoon. The seeds and fibers will stay behind.
- Taste and add sugar if needed. Chill for at least 1 hour.
- Stir well, since the pulp settles, and serve over ice.
Tips
- For a dairy-free version, use water only or replace the milk with cold coconut milk.
- Straining twice gives the smoothest drink. If you have fresh baobab pulp, soak it in the water for 20 minutes and rub it apart by hand before blending.
Questions and answers
What does bouye taste like?
It is lightly sour and fruity, a bit like a mild sherbet or tamarind, balanced with sugar. The milk makes it smooth and creamy.
Does baobab powder go bad?
Stored sealed in a cool, dry place, it keeps for a year or more. Once mixed into a drink, it should be refrigerated and finished within 3 days.
Can I use it in other ways?
Yes. Stir a spoonful into yogurt, porridge or smoothies for a tangy boost, or into the sauce for ngalax and other desserts.
How long does it take to make Bouye (Senegalese Baobab Fruit Drink)?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bouye (Senegalese Baobab Fruit Drink)?
About 140 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 28 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 140 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 25 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
