Carob preparation. Royal Forest Carob Roasted - “How to make a delicious drink from carob? Carob - what is this product?
Hello, my dear readers!
She has her own small cafe and is constantly inventing healthy recipes and sharing them with her visitors.
It was while visiting her that I first tried a drink made from carob - carob powder and fell in love with it.
Let's take a closer look at the benefits of carob and how it can be used in cooking.
From this article you will learn:
Carob - beneficial properties and methods of use
Carob tree, or Ceratonia pods, or Constantinople pods (lat. Ceratōnia silīqua), or carob (eng. carob) - a plant of the legume family ( Fabaceae)
Description and benefits of carob
Carob is included in many healthy home cooking recipes and is also widely used in industry and cooking.
How do you get carob?
Carob is a natural, nutritious substitute.
It is obtained from the pods of the carob tree (Ceratonia capita), a flowering evergreen Mediterranean shrub.
Inside each pod contains sweet, edible pulp.
They are specially dried and fried (for 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit), and then ground into a powder called carob flour or “carob powder.”
Composition of carob powder
In terms of its external properties, carob powder is similar to cocoa powder, but it contains more natural sugar, fiber, much less fat (17%), minerals (main Calcium, Potassium and Phosphorus).
And most importantly, unlike cocoa fruit, it does not contain caffeine and theobromine.
These substances can cause a number of negative phenomena in our body: increase heart rate, cause insomnia and sleep disorders, bedwetting, fatigue, obesity, dizziness, irritability, psychomotor agitation, anxiety, acne and much more.
Therefore, carob, which in its taste and external qualities is very similar to cocoa, is a worthy alternative to it.
Important!!!
Carob fruits contain as much vitamin B1 as asparagus or strawberries.
It has more niacin than Roman beans, lentils or peas; more vitamin A than eggplant, asparagus and beets.
It also contains vitamin B2, magnesium, the minerals iron, manganese, chromium, copper and nickel, about 8 percent protein and is a good source of fiber.
What does carob taste like?
Carob has a wonderful taste and aroma of chocolate, but does not pose any health risks.
In addition, carob is naturally sweet and does not require added sugar, which makes it possible for people with diabetes to use it.
What are the benefits of carob?
So, the benefits of carob:
- Carob tannins contain gallic acid, which works as an analgesic, antiallergic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral and antiseptic.
- Carob improves digestion and lowers cholesterol levels in the blood.
- It is used to treat diarrhea in children and adults.
- Since it does not contain caffeine, it can be consumed by people with high blood pressure.
- Regular use of carob helps in preventing lung cancer.
- Consumption of carob is a good prevention of osteoporosis due to its high phosphorus and calcium content.
- Carob removes toxins and normalizes metabolism.
How to use carob in medicine?
In alternative medicine, there are medicinal recipes with carob powder.
Recipe No. 1
Used for diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach upset in adults, children and animals. Dissolve one tablespoon of the box in a cup of liquid and drink.
Recipe No. 2
French doctors successfully treat kidney failure with carob powder. Approximately 2 teaspoons of carob powder should be dissolved in 1 glass of unsweetened cranberry juice and taken four or five times a day.
How to use carob in cooking?
Carob is most often used as a stabilizer and thickener in baked goods, ice cream, jellies, cheese, sauces, canned meats, and other food products.
Carob powder is also used as a substitute for cocoa powder or chocolate in cakes, cookies and candies.
Video about carob
Be sure to watch this interesting video about the beneficial properties of carob, I recommend it!!!
- Carob is an excellent substitute for cocoa drink. Just dissolve 1 teaspoon of powder in hot water and a tasty and healthy drink will be ready.
- Carob can be used in place of cocoa powder in baking. Add a tablespoon of carob powder to the batter to give it a beautiful, rich, dark color.
- When replacing cocoa powder, use the same amount of carob powder. But remember that you will need to reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe due to the natural sweetness of carob.
- Add a spoonful of carob powder to homemade or frozen yogurt.
- Carob can be sprinkled on fresh berries and fruits instead of sugar. This is delicious!
- You can make chocolate with carob. Just dissolve 1 tsp in one mug of hot milk and a tasty and aromatic drink is ready!
- Carob is very tasty mixed with butter or coconut oil, honey, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom). This makes a dessert pasta for breakfast.
- Carob powder can be used to make icing, breading truffle-type candies, and topping baked goods.
Video recipe for carob cake, watch it, it’s very tasty!
In fact, you can make a wide variety of desserts and baked goods from carob.
Where to buy carob powder?
Fortunately, today natural carob powder can be found in ordinary stores.
I buy it at a regular supermarket in the health department. This is the manufacturer.
Online stores offer a lot of carob powder from various manufacturers.
For example, Here you can buy real organic carob powder.
Try it and share your impressions and experience!!!
I would be glad if this article is useful to you and you share it with your friends on social networks.
Send me your recipes for delicious desserts using carob.
Alena Yasneva was with you, See you again!
Carob fruits are known as a substitute for cocoa and chocolate. But the beneficial properties of carob can be used much more widely, and this is well known in countries where ceratonia grows and bears fruit generously. Residents of the Mediterranean enjoy using dried and roasted carob, replacing sugar, cocoa and coffee. A tasty drink is brewed from crushed dry pods, which quenches thirst and does not have the stimulating effect of long tea.
Although the sweet taste and nutritional value of the pods has been known since time immemorial, the plant mentioned in the Bible experienced a period of semi-oblivion after the introduction of beet and cane sugar. Only folk healers continued to prepare potions from carob for various ailments, fed domestic animals with the pods, and the poor ate the sweet fruits as food. Interest in carob dishes has surged again when people think about healthy eating and its connection with quality and life expectancy. Nowadays, carob powder, chocolate, syrup, gum and tea are very popular - the beneficial substances contained in carob pods are well preserved during heat treatment, and the pleasant sweetness with a minimum of fat and low calorie content make it possible to classify the product as dietary.
Benefits of carob tea
Even if you are completely healthy, do not suffer from excess weight, digestive problems or vitamin deficiency, carob tea will be useful as a source of pleasant taste sensations. The drink is good hot or cold, it has a wonderful sweetish taste and a delicate fruity aroma.
The tea does not have such a rich taste as drinks made from carob powder - it is brewed from crushed pods. The result is a tasty drink, reminiscent of dried fruit compote, but without refined sugar. Not everyone likes the heavy aroma of carob coffee and cocoa, but a drink made from brewed dried pods turns out to be light and pleasant. At the same time, all the beneficial properties of the plant are preserved in the tea:
- The absence of and, which are not always beneficial for the cardiovascular system.
- allows you to consume carob in limited quantities for diabetes.
- The abundance of iron restores the composition of the blood, helps to gain strength after illnesses and injuries.
- Magnesium and potassium are good for the heart and blood vessels, normalize blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels.
- Potassium acts as a diuretic, promotes the elimination of toxins and stimulates electrolyte metabolism.
- Carob substances normalize digestion, prevent diseases of the stomach and intestines, eliminate diarrhea, gas formation, nausea and other unpleasant phenomena.
- Tea has a good effect on the voice, even gargling with a decoction helps cure a sore throat and colds. Professional vocalists know about this property of carob.
- Tea lotions soothe inflammation of the eyes, relieve fatigue and prevent the development of cataracts.
- Natural sugars make you feel full, which is beneficial for weight loss.
- Carob is approved for children as a preventative against rickets and vitamin deficiency. A child who regularly drinks carob tea with black or green tea is less likely to catch a cold and recovers quickly.
There are practically no contraindications for use. Tea, powdered drinks, chocolate, syrup are allowed even for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and children. Carob extremely rarely causes allergies, but it is still not worth consuming it in unlimited quantities, especially if you have diabetes and fructose intolerance.
How to make delicious carob tea
The pleasant taste, lack of caffeine and allergens make this tea simply irreplaceable - adults and children can drink it every day. Kids usually like a drink made from carob with milk; it can be prepared like cocoa - pour a spoonful of powder or crushed pods with a glass of milk and cook for a minute or two. There is no need to add sugar, the sweetness of the carob beans is enough.
Carob tea, unlike powdered drink, is made from crushed fruits. They are not as sweet as ground pods, but they are also spicy and tasty. The herbal tea turns out transparent, with a brownish tint, characteristic of dried fruit compote.
How to cook:
- Rinse the teapot with boiling water.
- Add 2-3 teaspoons of crushed carob.
- Pour slightly cooled boiling water (+90-95oC).
- Stir, close the lid, leave for 15 minutes.
After brewing, the tea is ready to drink. You can dilute it with boiled water or not, sweeten it with sugar if the drink seems not sweet enough.
Dried pods can be used as an additive to black or green tea or mixed with dried herbs. Carob will add aromatic notes and a sweetish taste to the drink.
Green tea with carob
In Cyprus, Greece, Egypt, Israel and other Mediterranean countries, green tea with carob can be tasted in any cafe. In combination with tea, the drink acquires a tart taste, softened and decorated with aromatic carob, perfectly quenches thirst and helps you survive the midday heat more easily.
The benefits of green tea are widely known. Nutrients help maintain health, antioxidants prevent the aging process and keep a person in good shape. Together with crushed carob pods, green tea blossoms with new benefits, in particular, it acquires aroma and light sweetness, which tea leaves are slightly lacking.
Prepare green tea with carob according to the usual recipe: pour 2 teaspoons of the mixture into 200 ml of hot water. You can drink it hot or cold. The drink is very refreshing and quenches thirst.
Many manufacturers produce teas with the addition of carob and other fruits and aromatic herbs, but you can prepare mixtures yourself. Rose petals, goji berries, linden complement the taste well - you can experiment with tastes and smells and create your own delicious recipe.
Carob fruits are not a medicine, although their healing properties have long been proven. Try including tea made from crushed pods in your diet and you will see the benefits of this plant.
The carob tree is of particular importance to the culture and economy of Cyprus. This beautiful evergreen plant belongs to the legume family and reaches 6-12 meters in height. Carob has long been cultivated on the island and in other Mediterranean countries: Spain, Italy, Greece, Israel, Palestine.
The name of the carob tree comes from the Greek word for “horn” - κεράτιον (сerátiοn). It is noteworthy that the same word served as the basis for the name of the weight unit “carat”, used in jewelry. This coincidence is not accidental: one carat (200 mg.) is exactly the weight of carob seeds, which, thanks to the amazing constancy of mass, were used as a unit of weight in ancient times.
In Cyprus, the syrup made from carob fruit is called “black gold”, as it is one of the main export products and had a very positive impact on the island’s economy in the first half of the 20th century. In addition, carob fruits have long helped the poor cope with droughts and famines. Christian prophets and John the Baptist himself, as legends say, ate healing fruits (one of the names of the carob tree, which appeared in connection with these legends, is “John’s bread”).
The beans, which are the fruits of carob trees, reach 25-30 centimeters in length. In addition to seeds, the fruits contain sweet, juicy pulp, thanks to which products made from them do not require added sugar. A powder called “carob” is extracted from the dried pods, which has a number of nutritional and healing properties. In addition to the sweet pulp, carob fruits contain a number of vitamins (A, C, D, E B, B2, B3, B6, PP), amino acids, minerals, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, barium, manganese, sodium, dietary fiber and other substances beneficial to the body and digestion. Among other things, carob consists of 8% protein. Thus, carob fruits and products made from carob have healthy properties and are deservedly popular among allergy sufferers, diabetics (it should be noted that in case of diabetes, carob should be consumed with great caution), overweight people and those who strives to reduce consumption of chocolate and coffee.
It is from carob that popular substitutes for these products are made: a kind of cocoa powder without caffeine and practically without cholesterol and fats and all kinds of confectionery products (sweets, bars, glazes, etc.) that taste like chocolate, but do not cause allergies due to the absence of oxalic acid and fromamine, as well as restorative and immunomodulating syrups.
Of course, carob is not identical in taste to chocolate or coffee, but it can serve as a worthy replacement for these products if there is a need or desire to reduce their amount in the diet. Carob is also actively used in cooking as a substitute for sugar and cocoa. Another useful property of this product is the content of resin in the dried pods, which plays the role of a stabilizer and thickener, giving the final product thickness, viscosity and shine.
It is believed that carob products have an antitumor effect, speed up metabolism and reduce appetite (which promotes weight loss), prevent frequent colds due to a general strengthening effect on the body, stabilize blood pressure, and have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. In folk medicine, carob syrup is also used to treat nervous disorders, as it has a certain calming effect. Another medicinal use of carob is as an ingredient in syrups for coughs, colds and gastrointestinal disorders.
There are light, dark and very dark varieties of carob, as well as dry or fried types of the product.
Thanks to the sweet pulp of carob and its thickening properties, carob is often used in cooking. Below we would like to provide several simple recipes for desserts and drinks prepared using this product.
Recipes
To make chocolate from carob, cocoa butter and dry ingredients are used in a 1:1 ratio (the ratio of carob to milk powder should also be 1:1). If you want the chocolate to be more bitter, you can omit the milk powder and use a little less carob.
Ingredients
Cocoa butter: 100 grams
Carob: 50-60 grams
Powdered milk: 50 grams
Nuts, sesame seeds, coconut flakes, dried fruits: to taste
Cooking method
Cocoa butter must be split into small pieces and melted in a water bath (for example, in a double boiler). Sift the carob through a strainer, crushing all the lumps with a teaspoon, then pour all the powder, except one tablespoon, into the melted butter and stir the mixture until smooth. If the oil begins to thicken, you need to reheat it in a water bath.
Then you need to add dry milk and, if necessary, the remaining carob (1 tablespoon) to the resulting mixture. The consistency of the mass should resemble thick sour cream.
Place the finished chocolate into candy molds and put nuts or dried fruits inside. A couple of tablespoons of chocolate mass in a separate container can be mixed with 1-2 tablespoons of sesame seeds (raw or slightly fried). The resulting mixture can also be placed in candy molds, adding nuts or dried fruits if desired.
After this, you need to put the candies in the refrigerator so that the chocolate hardens.
If after preparing the sweets there is excess chocolate mass left, it can be used banana dessert. To make the dessert, you need to peel one banana and cut it into small cubes, pour it into a plate and mash it just a little with a fork. Pour two or three tablespoons of chocolate into the same plate and mix thoroughly. Then put the mixture into cake tins, add dried fruits, nuts and sesame seeds (optional) and send the dessert to cool in the refrigerator for several hours.
Ingredients
Banana: 1 piece
Pitted dates: 5 pieces
Carob: 2-3 tablespoons
Natural yogurt: 1 jar
Cooking method
Place banana pieces, carob, dates and yogurt in a blender bowl and blend until smooth.
Ingredients
Milk: 1 glass
Carob: 2 tablespoons
Vanillin and cinnamon: to taste
Cooking method
Pour the milk into a saucepan or ladle, add carob, and, stirring, heat the resulting mixture to the desired temperature.
Ingredients
Flour: 2 cups
Powdered sugar: ¾ cup
Milk: 1 glass
Butter: 150 grams
Banana: 2 pieces
Eggs: 2 pieces
Carob: 3 tablespoons
Unsweetened yogurt: 1 tablespoon
Baking soda or baking powder: ¼ teaspoon
Vanilla and cinnamon: to taste
Cooking method
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and prepare a baking dish. Then mix carob, flour, powdered sugar, baking soda and cinnamon in a large bowl. In the center of the resulting mass you need to make a depression and pour milk, eggs, yogurt and butter into it. Cut the bananas into pieces, chop with a fork and also add to the well. Then you need to carefully mix the mass, achieving a consistency like thick porridge. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full with the mixture and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until done.
Ingredients
Flour: 1/5 cup
Milk: 1 glass
Egg: 1 piece
Carob: 2-3 tablespoons
Sunflower oil: 1 tablespoon
Salt, sugar: to taste
Cooking method
Mix milk, flour, egg, carob, sunflower oil, salt and sugar thoroughly in a bowl and beat with a whisk. Use the resulting mixture to bake pancakes in a well-heated frying pan.
Ingredients
Oatmeal: 200 ml.
Pumpkin: 500 grams
Carob: 1 tablespoon
Walnuts: 200 ml
Banana: 1 piece
Dates: 25 pieces
Cooking method
The pumpkin must be peeled, cut into cubes and baked in the oven until soft. While the pumpkin is baking, you can pour hot water over the dates, finely grind the oatmeal in a blender, and chop the nuts. Then you need to take the dates out of the water and puree them, and then half a banana, in a blender (you can add a little water to the dates to make the puree the right consistency). Mix the oatmeal flour, banana and date puree (two tablespoons of date puree can be saved for the pumpkin filling) and nuts in a bowl, mix everything thoroughly, add a little water if necessary.
Place the dough in the mold and place it in the oven, removing the finished pumpkin from there. Then grind the pumpkin in a blender and place the mixture in two bowls. In one bowl you need to add carob to the pumpkin, in another - the remaining date puree. Mix the contents of both bowls thoroughly.
Cut the other half of the banana into thin slices and sprinkle with lemon juice to later use them to decorate the pie. Remove the dough from the oven and layer it first with pumpkin-date and then pumpkin-carob puree. Place the pie in the oven for 30-40 minutes.
The finished pie can be decorated with bananas and walnuts.
Ingredients
Flour: 1.5 cups
Carob: 4 tablespoons
Honey: 200 grams
Vanilla: to taste
Vegetable oil: ¼ cup
Water: 200 ml.
Strong coffee: 2 tablespoons
Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
Soda: 1/3 teaspoon
Nuts: 70-85 grams
Rum: 1 teaspoon
Cooking method
First of all, you need to preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Then mix flour and carob until smooth (you can add 2-3 pinches of black salt if desired), and beat water, oil, honey, coffee and rum. The resulting liquid should be poured into the flour mixture, add vanilla and baking soda, quenched in lemon juice, and knead. At the final stage, you need to add chopped nuts to the dough, put the dough in a baking dish and put in the oven for 50 minutes.
A healthy dessert for date lovers.
Ingredients
Figs: 6 pieces
Pitted dates: 16 pieces
Vanilla and cinnamon: to taste
Hulled sunflower seeds, soaked overnight: 1.5 cups
Raw carob: 3 tablespoons
Cooking method
To prepare the dough, you need to grind 6 dates, sunflower seeds and figs in a blender, then add vanilla and cinnamon and mix the mixture again. Then place the dough on a bamboo mat (usually used for making rolls), lined with plastic wrap, and level it with a spoon.
To prepare the filling, you need to chop 10 dates and mix them with carob powder. Spread the mixture onto the dough and form into a roll using a mat. Before serving, you can leave the dessert to cool in the freezer for 1-2 hours.
Known today as a healthy alternative to chocolate, carob was once the food of the peasant who lived on carob pods during times of famine. Carob is an evergreen flowering shrub native to the Mediterranean region. In its natural form, it grows in Southern Anatolia, Cyprus, Syria, Greece, Spain, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya and Israel. Dried carob is a ritual dish at Jewish holidays, roasted beans replace coffee, and its juice is drunk by Muslims during Ramadan fasting.
1 glass of milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder
1-2 tablespoons carob
1-2 tablespoons syrup or sugar
Cinnamon for sprinkling
Mix all ingredients in a blender until foamy, heat and serve.
Carob drink for Ramadan
During the fasting season of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, shops in the Middle East are filled with traditional drinks such as tamarind, djellab, and amardine (apricot), which are excellent for refreshing and nourishing the body. But for example, in Egypt they prefer carob juice. This sweet and nutritious drink not only tastes good like cold cocoa, but it's also packed with fiber, protein, antioxidants, and nutrients including iron, phosphorus, magnesium, and B vitamins. Plus, it curbs hunger and I'm thirsty. In other words, it's the perfect drink to keep you energized during the long hours of fasting.
Egyptian stores sell carob molasses. Locals add a teaspoon of brown sugar to it and drink it in the morning instead of coffee. It tastes like chocolate, only without caffeine.
To make this drink at home, combine the crushed pods with 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat and stir constantly until the sugar and crushed pods caramelize. Pour 6 cups of water into the caramelized mixture and bring to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and wait until the liquid has cooled. Strain the juice through a strainer to filter out any carob bits. Taste the juice and if it is too thick, add more water. Store in the refrigerator.
As you can see, nothing complicated. Unlike chocolate, carob is low in calories and has no caffeine. Next time you crave a sweet drink, try carob. It is not only tasty, but also very nutritious. And no side effects on the body!
The beneficial properties of carob have been known to mankind since the time of the first Christians. According to legend, John the Baptist ate Constantinople horns in the desert, and therefore the fruits have another name: “John’s bread.”
- Carob is extremely rich in minerals and trace elements. It has a high content of vitamins A, P, C, E, group B and proteins. Thanks to the rich content of copper, iron, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, nickel and barium, it is difficult to find a worthy alternative to carob.
- All microelements, vitamins, proteins and tannins are contained in carob in a form that is easily digestible for humans. Also, daily use of this powder will significantly reduce the body's absorption of excess cholesterol.
- Carob powder contains virtually no fat and is free of stimulants and psychedelics such as phenylethylamine, which can trigger migraines.
- Carob does not contain caffeine and oxalic acid, which means it does not cause addiction, allergies and does not affect the psyche. Carob powder is recommended for people suffering from diabetes or excess weight, as well as pregnant or nursing mothers.
- The calorie content of carob is about 220 kcal per 100 grams of powder.
