Cocoa is a beloved product that works great as an addition to baked goods, porridges and as a warming drink on cold days. If you want to enjoy the unique taste and at the same time provide your body with many valuable ingredients, it is worth reaching for its healthy substitute.
Although it looks similar, stands out for its unique properties and gentler action. Learn about locust bean gum, also known as carob. Unfortunately, few people in Poland have heard about this product, which is a pity. It’s cheap and does a lot of good things.
For many people, the name carob means nothing, because it is not a very popular product in Poland. Recently, however, this has been changing a bit, as there is more and more talk about substitutes for classic kitchen ingredients.
Carob is also known as locust bean flour, i.e. powder derived from dried and ground pods of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), which grows mainly in the countries of the Mediterranean basin.
It is characterized by brown color, caramel-chocolate flavor and pleasant sweetness. No wonder it so closely resembles the beloved cocoa. Unlike him however, it does not contain caffeine and theobrominetherefore it has a milder effect.
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Carob is an interesting alternative to cocoa, because in addition to its taste, it also has numerous health properties. It has less fat and calories than cocoa, and what’s more is naturally sweet, therefore, it does not require additional sweetening. It is also easier to digest and less likely to cause allergic reactions.
It does not contain the above-mentioned caffeine and theobromine, which is why does not have a negative stimulating effect. It is also useful in people with hypertension and children and adolescents.
Additionally, it has numerous benefits for the body, such as:
- Support for the digestive system through high fiber content
- Help in regulating intestinal function
- Helping control blood sugar levels
- A good source of minerals, including calcium, magnesium and potassium
- A source of antioxidants, including polyphenols that support immunity and neutralize free radicals
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Both carob and cocoa are a valuable element of the diet, but in some areas cocoa definitely falls into the shadow. Among others carob provides almost three times more calcium.This is a good option for people who do not care about stimulation, as well as for those who struggle with caffeine hypersensitivity.
Another advantage is the price. A package weighing 500 g usually costs only a few zlotys. And carob can be included in your everyday life in many ways.
It can be used as an ingredient for cakes, cookies and desserts, as an addition to oatmeal and smoothies, as well for preparing aromatic drinks, especially in winter. Through its natural sweetness does not need additional sugarso it helps.
