Carob Roasted, Cut & Sifted (Ceratonia siliqua) – Dried Herb, Organic

Carob, also called Locust Bean or St. John’s Bread, tree of the pea family (Fabaceae).  The names come from the belief that the “locusts” on which John the Baptist fed were Carob Pods. For 5,000 years Carob has been grown for its edible Seeds and Pods, and used as a food source.

The Greeks referred to them as the “Egyptian Fig” as the tree was first raised in Egypt and Western Asia. It has since adapted to cultivation in the semitropical reaches of the United States, Australia, Latin America and the Mediterranean.

The fruit (Pod) is a legume and is used in both human nutrition as animal feed. Carob Pods contains high amounts of carbohydrates, proteins and low levels of fat and significant amounts of potassium, calcium and polyphenols. The ripe dried Pods can be ground into a powder that is somewhat similar in flavour to cocoa. Because of this Carob powder, chips and syrups are commonly used as an alternative to chocolate in health food products.

Carob is widely used in baking products, snack bars, cereals, cocoa derived products,  beverages and dairy products. According to the “Encyclopedia of Healing Foods”, 19th-century British chemists sold Carob Pods to singers. Apparantly, chewing on the Pods helped singers maintain healthy vocal cords and soothe and cleanse their throat.

Carob honey is also known as a traditional medicine for coughs and sore throat.  Additionally, the carob can truly be considered a multipurpose tree suitable for preventing soil erosion and for rural area development in the Mediterranean basin and worldwide.

Properties:

The taste and energetics of carob are sweet, sour, warming and drying.  Carob has an affinity towards the digestive system, Gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system.

How to use:

Add to any drink or food to give it a nice chocolatey flavour. Or try our Hot Carob drink recipe below.

Hot Carob Beverage Recipe:

• 1 cup almond milk or another milk alternative
• 1 tablespoon ground Carob
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine milk and ground Carob in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking to remove any lumps. Stir in honey and vanilla extract. Continue heating to desired temperature.

Cautions & contraindications:

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or illness. Please consult your healthcare provider prior to the use of this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications or have a medical condition. Individual results may vary.