CAROB: MEDITERRANEAN SUPERFOOD

It is believed that the carob tree comes from the Mediterranean and the Near East region. Even today it still grows there and has great culinary importance and tradition.

The carob tree

When you see the carob tree fruit for the first time, you will not necessarily feel attracted. The carob tree can grow up to 20 m tall, the fruit of which looks like a pod with a hard and dark brown pod. It is an evergreen tree and is very heat and drought tolerant.

The strong trunk with its spread branches forms a sprawling, hemispherical crown. Inside the pod is reddish to light brown flesh with small black-brown seeds. Externally, the fruits are initially greenish and then purplish-brown, shiny and flattened when ripe. They can grow up to 10 to 30 cm long, 1.5 to 3.5 cm wide and about 1 cm thick. The seeds of the fruit weigh almost evenly and have a weight of 0.18 g (1 carat = 0.2 g). In the past they were used as weights in pharmacies and jewellers. Harvest Time/Season of Harvest: Carob harvest begins in September and lasts approximately 4 to 6 weeks

The taste of carob and the nutritional value

Carob tastes slightly bitter and at the same time has a very sweet and somewhat liquorice-like taste. The fruits of carob contain a large amount of minerals, especially iron and vitamin B and vitamin A.

The superfood is rich in antioxidants and nutrients and offers protection against free radicals. A quantity of 100g contains 222g calories, 4.6g protein, 0mg cholesterol, 0.7g (saturated fat 0.1g, monosaturated fat 0.2g, polyunsaturated fat 0.2g), 89g carbohydrates (fiber 40g, sugars 49g), 35 mg sodium, 827 mg potassium, 2.9 mg iron, 54 mg magnesium, 348 mg calcium, 14 IU vitamin A, 0.4 mg vitamin B6 and 0.2 mg vitamin C.

• Contains fewer calories and fat, but is high in protein and fiber. These are not contained in chocolate and cocoa, but much more fat.
• Is a good source of calcium that promotes healthy bones and teeth and has twice the calcium content of cocoa.
• Contains no substances that could trigger migraines.
• Lowers cholesterol with the fiber it contains. These increase the good cholesterol and promote a high density of lipoproteins.
• Slows down the overproduction of the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin and thus prevents the absorption of too many nutrients.
• Is caffeine and gluten free.