Interesting about carob.
August 25, 2022 at 1:23 pm,
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A few years ago, no one had heard of carob.
And what do we now know about this ancient spice and medicinal plant, besides the fact that it is an alternative to cocoa and chocolate, how is carob useful?
Carob powder is obtained from the fruit of Ceratonia siliqua, a carob tree. It is an evergreen plant of the legume family native to the Mediterranean. 
The fruits of the carob tree have an astringent property and are not eaten fresh. After the pods are dried in the sun, they become sweet. That is why you do not need to add sugar to carob products. Interestingly, the carob tree never gets sick, and pests bypass it. This is the reason all carob is considered organic.
When using carob, it is important to remember that the spice contains a lot of fructose. One standard glass of carob contains about 51 g, and although it is natural, this must be taken into account. By the way, there is almost no fat in carob, this is another important difference from cocoa powder.
Besides the fact that carob is sweet, it is rich in protein, pectins and fiber, it contains an impressive range of vitamins and minerals: vitamins A, B2, B3 and B6, copper, calcium (twice as much as in cocoa beans!), manganese, potassium , magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium.
In carob, unlike cocoa, coffee and chocolate, caffeine and theobromine are not found. Carob can be consumed by everyone, including breastfeeding mothers.
A warm drink made from carob is good to drink before bed as a mild relaxant. It promotes fast falling asleep and deep sleep.
Powder can be substituted for cocoa in any recipe. It is important to consider that in this case the amount of sugar must be greatly reduced, since the natural sweetness of carob is about half the same as that of regular sugar.
Can be added to smoothies and shakes
use as a sweetener when baking bread, pancakes and brownies;
knead drinks such as cocoa or hot chocolate;
prepare puddings or mousses.
Prepare a treat that children and adults adore. The recipe is very simple: carob powder is mixed with ground dried fruits and nuts, after which balls are formed. They can be rolled in sesame seeds or poppy seeds, coconut flakes or the same carob.
Cat and dog lovers know that chocolate is bad for animals. Unlike carob! Since it does not contain theobromine, manufacturers often add carob to dog treats that are used as a training reward.
Carob in powder form can be stored for up to a year and a half. To ensure safety, a dark, dry place at room temperature, which is not exposed to direct sunlight, is quite suitable. It is important that spices do not coexist nearby. If you place the powder in an airtight glass jar, then it will be completely intact and up to two years.
In our store you can buy carob powder from Italy, packaged in bags of 250 g and 500 g. The assortment includes chocolate on carob with various additives. There are also ready-made kits for making chocolate on carob at home or with friends, spending interesting evenings. We offer our customers only the best, what we love ourselves!