What Are the Properties of Carob?

Carob is a fruit that grows inside the long, brown pods of the carob tree and is known for its natural sweetness. It is usually eaten dried, as molasses, as a powder, or as dried fruit with the seeds removed. Carob has a distinctive flavor of its own, different from chocolate, and can be used in desserts. The following guide covers choosing, storing, and using carob in the kitchen.

Carob in the kitchen
Carob can be ground or added to desserts as molasses. Carob flour can give baked goods and drinks a dark color and a distinctive aroma. Ground carob or carob molasses can be used in recipes as an ingredient similar to flour or syrup. Its distinctive flavor adds a noticeable aroma to desserts and drinks. Carob flour can be used as an ingredient in its own right, rather than as a cocoa substitute.

How to choose carob
When buying dried carob, look for pods with dark brown, firm, glossy shells; moldy, softened, or brittle pods are not fresh. When broken, a sweet aroma reminiscent of honey is a good sign. When buying carob powder, look for a uniform dark brown color and no clumps. If choosing carob molasses, look for a dark, pourable consistency and a product with no added sugar.

How to store carob
Dried carob pods keep for months in a cool, dry cupboard when stored in an airtight container. Powder should be stored under similar conditions and kept away from moisture, which can cause it to clump. Carob molasses can be kept for a long time in a tightly sealed glass jar in a cool place; refrigeration is recommended after opening. Using a clean spoon each time you dip into the jar helps delay spoilage.

How to use carob in the kitchen
Carob powder can be added to cake and cookie batter in place of cocoa, lending natural sweetness and an earthy aroma; because it is caffeine-free, it is sometimes chosen as an alternative to chocolate. It can also be mixed with milk to make a hot drink. Carob molasses can be mixed with tahini for breakfast or used in dessert sauces in place of honey. Dried carob pieces can be added to muesli and granola for crunch and sweetness.

How to use carob as an alternative to sugar
Carob’s natural sweetness makes it possible to use it in place of processed sugar; its powder or molasses can replace some of the sugar in dessert recipes. Its earthy aroma, similar to cocoa, also makes it worth trying in chocolate recipes. Mixing it with coffee can make a caffeine-free alternative drink; a carob drink simmered with milk and sweetened with honey is especially popular in winter. Dried carob pieces can also be chewed as a snack.

Where to buy carob
Carob is sold at herbal shops and spice stores as dried pods, powder, or molasses. Since it grows in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions, fresh pods can also be found at markets in those areas. Product quality depends largely on how it is processed. To check whether carob powder is pure, look at the ingredients list for added sugar or starch. Similarly, when buying molasses, choose products without additives made only from carob.