Carob, also known as locust bean gum or carob gum, is an emulsifier used, among others, in during the production of confectionery. In the composition of food products, it appears under the name E410. Does this mean that locust bean gum is harmful? Or maybe it has numerous properties and nutritional values? Find out what the impact of the crank on your he alth is, where you can buy it and its price.

Contents:

  1. Carob - application. How to use carob?
  2. Carob - properties
  3. Carob - nutritional values ​​
  4. Carob (powder) - calories
  5. Carob - how to eat?
  6. Karob - price, where can you buy it?
  7. Karob a cocoa

Carob,also known as locust bean gum, or carob gum, are powdered seeds that are found in locust beans, also known as carob pods (also known as ceratonia, wood Carob or Carob tree) - an evergreen tree that can be found primarily in the countries of the Mediterranean, as well as in India and Australia. Carob is not only in the form of a powder, but also molasses.

Karob- application. How to use carob?

Carob tree seeds ground into a powder are used in the food industry as a stabilizer, emulsifier and gelling (thickening) agent.

Locust bean meal is used in the production of products such as:

  • polewy
  • frosting
  • ice cream
  • formula for infants
  • fermented cream products and their substitutes containing live bacteria
  • dried fruits and vegetables
  • edible marinated chestnuts
  • sweetened chestnut puree
  • jams, jellies, marmalades

Carob gum in the composition of food products can be found under the name E410.

Carob gum has a slightly caramel aroma, reminiscent of cocoa, therefore it is considered a good alternative to cocoa and chocolate.

Locust bean gum is also used in the production of dietary supplements (including slimming agents) and some medications (including syrups).

It is also added to pet food.In addition, carob gum can be found in the composition of adhesives and detergents.

GOOD TO KNOW:List "E" - types of additives in food

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Carob - properties

Locust bean gum is a substance of plant origin, and therefore natural. Therefore, it is considered safe for he alth and there are no contraindications for its consumption, as well as a certain acceptable daily intake limit.

Carob gum does not cause any serious side effects - if consumed in excess, it can only cause flatulence.

Carob - nutritional values ​​

Locust bean gum is not harmful, and additionally has a significant nutritional value - 15 percent. consists of water and up to 70 percent. from carbohydrates (sugars, starch and hemicellulose). The rest is protein (4-6%) and fat (about 0.5%). In addition, it contains many mineral elements, such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and magnesium, and vitamins: A, B2, B3 and D.

In the past, carob pods were even used in medicine, due to their he alth properties, incl. to improve digestion, to lower blood cholesterol levels, to stop diarrhea in children and adults, to cough (as they have expectorant properties), to pain (they contain gallic acid that has an analgesic effect). They were also used in the fight against osteoporosis (due to the high content of calcium and phosphorus).

Worth knowing

Carob (powder) - calories, nutritional values ​​(per 100 g)

Energy - 222 kcal Total protein - 4.62 g Fat - 0.65 g Carbohydrates - 88.88 g (including simple sugars 49.08) Fiber - 39.8 gVitaminsVitamin C - 0.2 mg Thiamine - 0.053 mg Riboflavin - 0.461 mg Niacin - 1.897 mg Vitamin B6 - 0.366 mg Folic acid - 29 µg Vitamin A - 14 IU Vitamin E - 0.63 mgMineralsCalcium - 348 mg Iron - 2.94 mg Magnesium - 54 mg Phosphorus - 79 mg Potassium - 827 mg Sodium - 35 mg Zinc - 0.92 mg Data source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference

Karob- how to eat?

Locust bean gum does not contain gluten and is hypoallergenic, therefore it can be consumed by people struggling withwith celiac disease and food allergies.

Locust bean gum is free of gluten, caffeine, theobromine and oxalic acid.

In addition, it is a he althy alternative to cocoa and chocolate as it does not contain theobromine and oxalic acid, which hinder the absorption of calcium and zinc.

Locust bean gum can be used as a thickener and egg substitute - it can be used to make delicious desserts and cakes.

Locust bean gum is also used to bake homemade wholemeal bread. Moreover, it can be used to thicken sauces.

The roasted and ground carob seeds are also used as a coffee substitute. However, unlike it, they do not contain caffeine.

It is worth knowing that carob fruit can also be used to obtain molasses, i.e. a thick syrup with a caramel aftertaste (carob honey), which is a he althy sugar substitute.

Karob - the price where you can buy

Carob can be purchased as a powder from he alth food stores. The price is about PLN 12 per 1 kg. Carob molasses (a dark brown, sweet caramel-flavored syrup) is also available in stores. The price is about PLN 25 for 800 g.

Karob a cocoa

Carob, unlike cocoa, does not contain stimulants, so it can be successfully used in the daily diet of children, preparing a hot drink similar to cocoa.

Carob is also often used by allergy sufferers as it does not contain allergens.

Carob can therefore be used as a sweetener. Natural cocoa, on the other hand, does not taste sweet. Karob has a delicate, sweet, caramel flavor, as opposed to dry and slightly bitter cocoa.

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