Carob

What is Carob Powder?

Did you know that carob has been prized for its health benefits for over 4,000 years, dating back to ancient Greece? Indeed, carob was traditionally used as a cough syrup and later was utilized for treating things like diarrhea, high cholesterol, and obesity, as well as to aid blood sugar management and promote digestive health. Today, you can use carob powder in many ways.

Carob (also known as St. John's bread) is a well-known chocolate substitute that is naturally sweet, rich, and delicious. It comes from the flowering evergreen tree Ceratonia siliqua, which is a member of the pea family and native to the Mediterranean region. The carob tree produces fruit in the form of large pods with edible seeds. Once ripe, carob pods can be dried and ground into what we know as "carob," which is sold in various iterations such as powder, chips, syrup, extract, and even in supplement form.

Carob is wonderfully healthy and entirely caffeine-free, making it an excellent option for those sensitive to caffeine (such as anxious individuals), children, and those trying to reduce their caffeine intake. Carob is also easier on the digestive tract than cacao, which is ideal for those with acute or chronic digestive conditions. Another considerable advantage of carob is that it contains many vital nutrients, including vitamins A, C, D, and E, Niacin, B2, B6, and B12, folic acid, potassium, and calcium. Moreover, carob powder is rich in antioxidants; its fibre contains no gluten and has little fat or sugar.

Using Carob in Cooking

There is nothing simpler than using carob chips in cooking—it can be swapped out one to one for cacao, in any recipe, from hot chocolate to cakes, muffins, bread, brownies, smoothies, and shakes, and can also be added to yogurt and ice cream, as well as any other delicious healthy treats that could use livening up.

Carob powder can be used in the same ratio as cacao powder in baked goods, though it’s important to note that it is naturally sweeter, so you may need to adjust the amount of sugar to your desired taste.

Final Thoughts on Carob

A quality carob powder should be flavorful and naturally sweet but not unpleasant or cloyingly so. Look only for premium-quality carob powder, chips, syrup, or certified organic extract that is gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO.

Carob is also used to produce locust bean gum, a natural food additive similar to guar gum used in foods such as yogurt, cream cheese, and ice cream. Locust bean gum is exceptionally high in fibre, so it naturally helps reduce blood sugar and blood lipid levels.