On this page, carob refers to the edible fruit of the carob tree. The carob tree is native to the Mediterranean, cultivated for its edible pods that contain a sweet pulp. This pulp can be eaten fresh or dried and ground into powder form.
Carob has a similar taste to chocolate, and similar in consistency and taste. However, carob is lower in fat, caffeine-free, and naturally sweeter then chocolate. Consequently, carob is often used as a healthy alternative to chocolate.
Carob Tree Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae
- Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
- Genus: Ceratonia
- Species: Ceratonia siliqua
Featured Video
What are the best chocolate alternatives or substitutions for people that are allergic to chocolate?(3 Answers)
A:
People are usually not allergic to the chocolate itself, but to one of the ingredients added to the cocoa. But whatever it is that they're allergic to ...
What is carob?(3 Answers)
A:
I live in Spain and we have carob trees here in quite a few places though it is a native of the Middle East. They can grow to ...
Is there any caffeine in the chocolate coating or the chocolate icecream? I have to avoid caffeine. (1 Answer)
A:
Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine which is similar to caffeine. I think if you need to avoid caffeine then you need to avoid chocolate completely. But you ...
References
Fast Facts
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Also called
Saint John's bread, locust bean
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Fact:
A subtropical fruit
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Fact:
Eaten in Ancient Egypt
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Fact:
Soothes digestive tract and helps with diarrhea
