Page 24 - FWG Issue 2 March 2023

Lifestyle

The tree is drought tolerant and has a broad, spreading form that Advantages of carob:
makes it an ideal shade tree. The leaves are leathery, glossy and • Carob is caffeine free. Unlike chocolate, carob contains
dark green. neither caffeine nor theobromine. Caffeine, and to a lesser
extent theobromine (the stimulant that is harmful to dogs
The tree can bear carob pods (the fruit) after about six to eight years and cats), are both stimulants, making you more alert and
of growth and by its 12th year, it can bear up to 100 pounds of pods giving you an energy boost. However, they can also make
per year for the next 100 years. The pods can be up to a foot long you restless, anxious and irritable.
and are reddish-brown. • Carob aids with digestion and may ease nausea or an upset
stomach.
Carob has been consumed since ancient times and has been used • Carob is high in calcium and rich in vitamins A, B, D and E. It
as food for over 5 000 years. It is also used as feed for livestock. also contains minerals such as magnesium, iron, phosphorus,
Its name is referenced in the Bible, where carob is called “honey manganese and potassium.
locust” or St. John’s bread as it was consumed by John the Baptist • Carob has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
while he was in the wilderness. The husks that were eaten by the
Prodigal Son in Jesus’ parable were discarded carob pods. The biggest reason carob powder is healthy for you is that
it is natural. Carob comes from the pods of carob trees and
The word carat, which is still used today to measure gold and is naturally sweet. Carob doesn’t undergo the extensive
diamonds, comes from the Arabic name for the carob seeds processing that chocolate does to make it taste good.
because of their uniformity in weight. Carob, therefore, doesn’t have the additional sugar, corn
syrups, chemicals, additives and processed chemicals that
The pods from the carob tree are roasted or cooked for a short time chocolate does.
and are then ground into carob powder. Roasting enhances the
chocolate-like flavour. Instead of cocoa powder, you can use carob In South Africa, we have a small factory called Bellair Montagu
powder; just remember to reduce the sugar in the recipe because that produces dried fruit ground with carob chocolate and
of the natural sweetness of carob. yoghurt. It also produces carob-covered nuts, seeds and
ginger. My favourite is the carob-covered sunflower seeds.
Inside the pods are the beans; these are used extensively in food Thank you, Bellair, for these wonderful healthy snacks.
manufacturing for their gelling and binding properties. Some dogs
love eating the pods. Information sourced from www.bellair.co.za

Fourways Gardens • 22 • March 2023