What is carob used for?

What is carob used for?

Carob is used for diarrhea, diabetes, prediabetes, persistent heartburn, obesity, athletic performance, and high cholesterol, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods and beverages, carob is used as a flavoring agent and as a chocolate substitute.

What is carob made out of?

Introduction. Carob powder, also called carob flour, is a cocoa powder alternative. It's made from dried, roasted carob tree pods and looks a lot like cocoa powder. Carob powder is often used as a natural sweetener in baked goods.

Are carob tree pods edible?

The carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is a flowering evergreen tree or shrub in the Caesalpinioideae sub-family of the legume family, Fabaceae. It is widely cultivated for its edible pods, and as an ornamental tree in gardens and landscapes. The carob tree is native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East.

Do carob trees smell?

Flowers & Fruits: The flowers on the Carob are different sexes. A tree will either have entirely male flowers or entirely female flowers. The flowers are red with a green tint, small, and arranged in dense clusters. These flowers are produced in autumn and let off a musky smell to attract bees and flies.

What does carob taste like?

Carob doesn't taste exactly like chocolate, but it has a nutty flavor. So while carob powder and carob chips can be substituted one-for-one for cocoa powder and chocolate chips in recipes, try swapping in half first to get a sense of its unique taste.

Why is carob better than chocolate?

Carob naturally contains more carbohydrates and sugar than cacao, and is low in fat. ... Naturally caffeine-free, carob is a safe choice for those who are sensitive to chocolate due to its stimulants. On the other hand, cocoa is the reason eating chocolate makes us feel so good.

What do carob pods taste like?

What Does It Taste Like? Carob has a similar flavor to chocolate but is sweeter and less bitter. The powder has a toasty flavor and a texture like cocoa powder. It's not eaten on its own, but is added to desserts, drinks, and more.

Are carob pods poisonous to dogs?

there's a chocolate substitute that's perfectly safe for dogs, and it's called carob. You've probably seen carob on dog treats in fancy dog boutiques, and perhaps you stayed away from them because it looked too much like chocolate for your liking. But good news—carob is perfectly safe for dogs to eat.

How long does it take a carob tree to bear fruit?

trees may fruit in approximately six years with the fruit taking about eleven months to ripen on the tree. These trees reach a typical mature size of 30 or 40 feet. Although some trees are hermaphrodites, generally you would need both a male and female tree for fruiting.

How big does a carob tree grow?

15m Carob trees can live for over 100 years, grow to 15m and produce a trunk girth of up to 3.5m. The leathery leaves grow in four to five pairs of oval-shaped leaflets; new growth is bronze coloured and mature leaves are dark green on the upper surface and light green to grey underneath.

What is carob made of?

• A. Carob is a tropical pod that contains a sweet, edible pulp and inedible seeds. After drying, the pulp is roasted and ground into a powder that resembles cocoa powder, but does not have the same flavor and texture of chocolate.

What is the scientific name for carob gum?

• Carob gum. Carob is in many skin care products and medications. It’s usually labeled as C. siliqua, which is the scientific name for carob gum. The gum comes from the seeds, which are 35 percent gum.

What are the health benefits of eating carob?

• Adding or substituting carob into your diet can help: 1 lower your cholesterol 2 reduce your risk of heart disease 3 ease stomach issues 4 treat diarrhea More ...

What is a good substitute for carob in cooking?

• Because carob is naturally sweet, it can help satisfy your sugar cravings. If you do find that it’s not sweet enough for your taste, try adding stevia. When cooking, you can substitute carob for chocolate in a 1-to-1 ratio. You can also substitute carob chips for chocolate chips.