Carob Powder

[flyinglentris]

Carob powder is made from the dried seed pods of the Carob Tree. Whether it can be considered a spice, a bean or seeds is debatable.

It's chief claim to fame is as an animal feed - or for humans, a cocoa alternative. It has a chocolate flavor, but somewhat softer.

I have used it as a flavoring agent in Bean dishes (mixed beans and chilis) and in Rice dishes (dark rices). Mixing it in with Adobo works for me too.

Carob Powder would make for an interesting Cooking Bites challenge, if anybody would care to recall this post mentioning it.

 

[Morning Glory]

I think I used to get it back in those old hippy days as a substitute for chocolate. Its also a natural sweetener. Maybe I will try to get some. Its not easily available except on-line or possibly in health stores.

 

[flyinglentris]

I think I used to get it back in those old hippy days as a substitute for chocolate. Its also a natural sweetener. Maybe I will try to get some. Its not easily available except on-line or possibly in health stores.

Yeah, that old hippy health food connection has many people frowning on Carob. But like Cinnamon and real Cocoa, it's a valid flavoring agent.

My source was Bob's Red Mill, but I just checked and they appear to be out of season on Carob Powder.

They have a lot of other quality stuff ...

https://www.bobsredmill.com/shop.html

 

[Morning Glory]

Yeah, that old hippy health food connection has many people frowning on Carob. But like Cinnamon and real Cocoa, it's a valid flavoring agent.

My source was Bob's Red Mill, but I just checked and they appear to be out of season on Carob Powder.

They have a lot of other quality stuff ...

https://www.bobsredmill.com/shop.html

Remember I'm in the UK...

 

[flyinglentris]

For others, in N. America, they might find the source helpful.

 

[epicuric]

Carob, both in powder and syrup form is common in Cyprus. I have visited the world famous(!) carob museum which details production methods. I use it in sauces, mainly to accompany pork.

 

[LissaC]

Carob is popular in Portugal especially in the South. Personally I don't like but there's a couple dessert recipes with carob. I guess it's a Mediterranean fruit (?) maybe.

 

[flyinglentris]

Carob is popular in Portugal especially in the South. Personally I don't like but there's a couple dessert recipes with carob. I guess it's a Mediterranean fruit (?) maybe.

Its a large bean pod from a tree, the Carob Tree. The whole pod is dried out and ground up.

I use it in sauces as mild flavoring and a thickening agent.

 

[LissaC]

Its a large bean pod from a tree, the Carob Tree. The whole pod is dried out and ground up.

I use it in sauces as mild flavoring and a thickening agent.

Yes it's also a thickening agent. I was after locust bean gum but surprisingly I can't find it in Portugal.

 

[Hemulen]

I deleted my previous post as most of the information was already mentioned in earlier posts. Locust bean gum aka Carob gum (food additive E410) is ground from the seeds and carob powder is ground from the whole pod. The Carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua, belongs to the pea/bean family. Carob powder would indeed be an intriguing option for the recipe challenge. Flyinglentris has found innovative use for this substance.

 

[LissaC]

I deleted my previous post as most of the information was already mentioned in earlier posts. Locust bean gum aka Carob gum (food additive E410) is ground from the seeds and carob powder is ground from the whole pod. The Carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua, belongs to the pea/bean family. Carob powder would indeed be an intriguing option for the recipe challenge. Flyinglentris has found innovative use for this substance.

Thank you I didn't know difference between locust bean gum and carob powder!

 

[Mountain Cat]

Hmm. I'll have to try carob powder. My memories of it were like MG said - a poor hippy substitute for chocolate. I much rather do... chocolate or cacao powder.

But if it is something that can find other purposes in my kitchen, I'll look to order some online.

 

[Burt Blank]

It's very common here, the whole dried pods are cheap as chips. My dead FIL had a tree in his garden to make hooch. Sempervivum | Product | Brandies and liqueurs | Carob Brandy

 

[Burt Blank]

Rogacem is carob.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lephqsWZbgM&ab_channel=Ru%C4%8DakzasutrasPodravkom

 

[Burt Blank]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWdOts0k76M&ab_channel=MilicaMihailovi%C4%87