San Diego Nutrition and Health

Carob powder is created by grinding the beans inside a carob pod which grows on a carob tree.  The carob tree is part of the legume family and grows in Mediterranean areas.

Carob has earned the title of the healthy alternative to chocolate because it is free of both caffeine and theobromine, stimulants that are found in chocolate.  Also, carob is naturally sweet so there is generally less sugar in foods made with carob than those made with chocolate. 

Carob is also a nutrient rich food.  It is high in calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium.  It contains vitamins A, B, B2, B3 and D.  To give you an idea of the amount of calcium in carob, there are 352 mg of calcium per 100 grams of carob.  In 100 grams of milk, there is only 120-130 mg of calcium.

You can use carob powder in any recipe that calls for cocoa powder or chocolate.  When substituting for cocoa powder, use the same amount of carob powder.  When substituting for chocolate, use approximately 3 Tablespoons of carob for an ounce square of chocolate. 

Carob is approximately 50% natural sugar.  As such, it can also be used as a sugar substitute in breads and bread products, including waffles, pancakes, muffins, cakes, pies, etc.  Of course, your bread product will turn a slight brown color, but you are getting more nutrition than if you were to use regular sugar. 

With all its healthy benefits, you’ll have to experiment with carob and see what delicious recipes you come up with.  Then, share with the rest of us!