If you are among the large group of chocolate addicts scattered around the world, you may be a fan of carob – a fine powder that comes from carob pods planted on trees primarily in the Mediterranean region.
This sweet, nutty treat not only mirrors the taste of chocolate (a real win, if you ask us), but also has some great health benefits including antioxidant potential and grams of fiber per serving.
Curious to know more? Read on to find out if carob is the next best thing Fulfill your sweet desires.
What is carob horn?
carob It is a purple-brown pod that grows on the Mediterranean Sea ceratonia silicaor the carob tree.
Inside the leathery pods—which vaguely resemble a ripe, withered banana—you’ll find a row of seeds surrounded by plenty of sticky pulp.
While carob is often considered a fruit, technically it is It belongs to the legume family.
You may find roasted carob in juices, molasses, drinks, desserts, and baked goods.
But if you want to add carob to food at home, you’re unlikely to find the pods in the produce section of your local grocery store.
According to Masha Davis, MPH, RDN, founder of NomadistaNutrition.com and author Take your vitaminsThe pods are usually ground into a powder (also called carob flour) since they are not particularly easy to prepare.
Carob pod seeds are used as cabbage Food Thickener or Stabilizer It is not traditionally eaten alone.
“You can find it in ingredients like bean gum,” he says. Melissa MajumdarMD, MS, RD, senior nutritionist at the Brigham and Women’s Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery.
As mentioned earlier, the carob flavor has been likened to chocolate. “However, it has a sweet, nutty taste that distinguishes it from cocoa,” Majumdar says.
What is carob used for?
Majumdar says that carob pods have been traditionally used for a variety of health benefits, but she explains that most of these claims have not been validated by adequate scientific research.
For both flavor and nutritional benefits, you can add carob powder to recipes that call for cocoa powder.
Try using it in yogurt, juicesOr oatmeal, or baked goods like muffins or granola.”
What is carob nutrition?
Since carob is often compared to chocolate, let’s break down how these two ingredients stack together nutritionally.
Davis explains that while carob has some notable advantages, it’s not necessarily healthier than chocolate. carob powder says:
- It is high in sugar but has less fat than cocoa powder
- Caffeine free unlike cocoa powder
- In some studies, it has been reported to contain mood-enhancing compounds that cocoa powder does not contain
What are the health benefits of carob?
While you should eat a large amount of carob powder to meet certain nutritional needs, carob can be A healthy way to sweeten foods and flavor No added empty calories only.
According to Majumdar and Davis, carob:
- Contains fiber
- source of polyphenols
- A source of potassium and calcium
Does carob have any side effects?
As of now, you can supplement your shakes, smoothies, and oatmeal with carob as you wish.
Majumdar says it does not appear to have any negative side effects and has not been identified as interfering with any medications.
Carob pods are Generally recognized as safe (GRAS). “This means that when it is consumed in amounts naturally found in food, it is safe to consume for healthy individuals,” she says.
Where can I buy carob pods?
In the United States, carob pods can be difficult to find. “Powders are readily available in many stores, so I recommend choosing pre-made powders,” says Davis.
You can find carob powder in health food stores and Online.
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