UNROOTED is the number one sustainable shots brand, as voted for by you folks, the consumers! But what makes the latest addition to our milkround so fantastically unique and sustainable?
It all starts with an ancient superfruit. And the seeds of an idea set to revolutionise your everyday routine.
Who is UNROOTED’s founder?
Nathan Clemes is the UNROOTED Drinks founder. Grounded in the roots of his South African upbringing, the company is inspired by the rows upon rows of ancient baobab trees woven around his childhood home.
Nathan created Unrooted to unearth the nutritional, environmental and social benefits of these majestic African trees.
Deeply anchored in the earth and rooted in tradition; the baobab tree stands tall and mighty as it reaches towards the sky. The perfect metaphor for Nathan’s venture.
Meet Mark Carter, Head of Sales at UNROOTED
Mark Carter may be born and bred in South London, but like founder Nathan, he too shares a connection with South Africa. We had the pleasure of speaking to Mark about his journey with the Certified B Corp™ so far…
“My wife was born in South Africa, and grew up on a farm over there,” he says. “She moved to the UK around 20 years ago, and we met in the pub she was running, where I used to sell beer.
“15 years later, we’re now married with two daughters, and head back to South Africa at least once a year. Going to the African continent is a phenomenal experience. The heart… The soul… The music… The atmosphere… The food! Everything is so unique.”
This concept of retracing and strengthening your roots is ever-present throughout UNROOTED’s mission and philosophy. But it wasn’t until Mark met his wife and began thinking about starting a family, that he had his epiphany.
From pubs and pints to planet-friendly potions
“After meeting my wife and starting a family, I asked myself, ‘What am I doing with my life?’ As consumers, we take, take, take from the planet, and it’s important to give something back.
“I started to see through my children’s eyes, wondering what I was leaving behind for their future. Motivated to do something that had the best, most significant impact on the planet, I moved into more sustainable, ethical businesses in the soft drinks industry.”
The stars align
After working for Karma Drinks – a sustainable and ethically conscious soft drinks company – the stars aligned when Mark met ex-investment banker, Nathan, who was on his own journey in the sustainable drinks world.
“I strongly believe you have to sell products you’re bought into,” Mark says. “When I met Nathan, he told me he was working with a Kenyan food scientist to develop these new sustainable, functional energy shots. And that he was looking for someone to come in to help build the business.”
This was the start of Mark’s journey with UNROOTED. Since then, he, Nathan and the rest of the crew haven’t looked back.
“We’ve got one planet,” says Mark, “and if you look after it, it’ll look after you.”
UNROOTED: the story behind the name
Trees. Fruits. Roots. You could say the story behind the Unrooted Drinks name is obvious. But its roots go a little deeper than that.
“Legend has it, the Lord planted the baobab tree upside down, and that’s why its branches look like roots,” says Mark. “It’s also why people often refer to the baobab tree as ‘the UNROOTED tree’, and why we’re called Unrooted.”
Beyond the baobab: UNROOTED’s unlimited impact
As a fellow Certified B Corp™, Unrooted aren’t just interested in making delicious health shots. Their mission is to “help make the world a healthier and happier place to live.” An easy one to get behind, right!?
This vision sits at the heart of everything they do, from sourcing the baobab for their ginger and turmeric super shots, to supporting their community and operating as a carbon neutral business.
“For us, sustainability is not a marketing function; it’s an operations function,” says Mark. “It’s so important that our impact is sustainable, because if we were to disappear tomorrow, we couldn’t look after the farmers and growers that form our community, and they would have no income.”
Supporting the community
Since 2021, UNROOTED has planted and protected hundreds of baobab trees to fight the threat climate change poses on these ancient plant species. Their work is also deeply rooted in the rural communities who harvest their baobab fruits.
Working with Organic Africa and B’Ayoba, UNROOTED Drinks indefinitely sponsor the education of 41 children in Zimbabwe, while supporting the Baobab Foundation’s efforts in building three pre-schools in harvesting areas of South Africa.
Harvesting the baobab
Unrooted create sensational products for a sensational planet, which is why their turmeric and ginger dailer doser shots are made from 100% natural, caffeine-free ingredients.
From the pulp to the seeds and shells, every byproduct of UNROOTED’s baobab fruits is used, so there’s no food waste.
Founder Nathan is on the board of the non-profit industry association, African Baobab Alliance. ABA (not to be confused with ABBA) has four key objectives for the baobab industry:
- 1. Promote growth for the benefit of baobab harvesters across Africa
- 2. Improve sustainability
- 3. Promote the adoption of common quality practices
- 4. Grow the demand for local and international markets
When talking about the recent rise of baobab in the UK, Mark is quick to clarify that they will not follow in the footsteps of other exotic fruits’ supply chains.
“You only have to look at avocados. My parents never had avocado on toast growing up, but now it’s mainstream. A similar thing is happening with the baobab fruit. However, we are not the next avocado.
“Together with the African Baobab Alliance, we make sure our supply chain (and everyone in it) is protected; that we increase the exposure of the African baobab, while ensuring it’s sourced and harvested in a sustainable, ethical way.”
UNROOTED’s ingredients are organic and wild harvested, and every baobab they use is traceable from tree, to collector, right on through to each turmeric shot and ginger shot.
Rise of the health shot
Functional health shots are a relatively new addition to everyday routines and habits. But what’s sparked their rise in popularity?
“There was already a growing trend of people looking at health boosts, gut health, immune systems and the impact of what we put into our bodies,” says Mark. I think the pandemic has had a big impact in accelerating this.
“As a busy parent, I don’t always have time for breakfast, but I still need that boost in the morning. It’s great to be able to grab a functional shot from the fridge before running out the door.”
Mark’s not the only functional shot fan in his family.
“My seven-year-old daughter drinks a ginger shot in the mornings before going to school, as it’s a great source of Vitamin C. She’s in Year Two, and we were sitting at the dining table the other day, and she said, ‘Mum, has this peanut butter got palm oil in it?’
“These are the questions kids are rightly asking now – they’re so switched on about the environment, what we put into our bodies, and what packaging and products we buy. My daughter is seven years old, and she’ll often ask me if a product is good or bad based on what bin it goes into.”
Thankfully for Mark (and the planet!), there are no awkward dining table chats when it comes to UNROOTED. As a carbon neutral and sustainable company, all their products arrive in glass bottles. No wonder they fit right onto our milkround, right!?
What are health shots?
Health shots – also known as juice shots, super shots or functional shots – are a speedy, convenient and easy way to give yourself a healthy, nutritious boost. Mark compares UNROOTED’s dailer doser functional health shots to the “double espresso of the juice world”. Only, with no caffeine and lots more nutrients!
“Condense a litre bottle of ginger juice, turmeric juice or orange juice and add the magic of baobab, and you’ve got a functional, easy-to-drink boost of energy. That ease and speed is why functional health shots have really picked up in popularity.”
Modern Milkman + UNROOTED = a match made in heaven
Rooted in tradition and seamlessly blending the old with the new. It’s no wonder Unrooted are our modern milkround’s new bezzie! But don’t just take our word for it. Unrooted are the “spicy shot that hits the spot”, according to the newspapers.
Fancy giving the magic of baobab a shot, and helping UNROOTED’s mission to “make the world a healthier and happier place to live”?
Put some zing in your step with our Punchy Turmeric Daily Doser or Mighty Ginger Daily Doser. Nothing says fuss free freshness and waste free wonder like waking up to one of these super shots on your doorstep!
