CAROB, ROASTED

Description

Profile: Ceratonia siliqua is a Mediterranean-native flowering evergreen tree. Carob is a member of the Fabaceae family that produces long, edible pods that are prized for their natural sweetness and caffeine-free nature. Carob that has been roasted has a rich, toasted flavor without the bitterness that comes with raw carob. Carob roasted on its own is delicious, but it's also great in baking, smoothies, and trail mixes.

Details: The carob tree, often known as the locust bean, belongs to the same plant family as beans and peas (Fabaceae). For almost 5,000 years, its pods have been eaten as food. The name St. John's Bread comes from the belief that carob pods were the "locust beans" devoured by John the Baptist. Because the tree was first grown in Egypt and Western Asia, the Greeks called it the "Egyptian fig." Since then, it has adapted to semitropical climates in the United States, Australia, Latin America, and the Mediterranean. During the mummification process, Egyptians employed carob seeds as an adhesive binding. Carob powder, which has become popular as a chocolate alternative, was previously thought to be necessary in the opera for saving the vocals of tired sopranos. The seeds were also used as a unit of weight measurement for gold by the Greeks and Romans. It has been suggested that this is where the term "carat" comes from.

The powdered pods are commonly roasted, although they can also be eaten raw. Carob powder is similar to cocoa powder in that it can be sprinkled on food or consumed as a tea, extract, or capsule. The bitterness of raw carob is commonly considered as bitter, although this is substantially reduced by roasting. As a result, the roasted product is more widely used in meals. Carob is most commonly used as a chocolate alternative for people who are allergic to chocolate.

NOTICE: DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT IF PREGNANT OR NURSING.

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.