Carob is one of the healthiest natural foods. Carob

The carob tree has many names - ceratonia, sweet horns, Tsaregrad pods, John's breadfruit, chocolate tree, charuv, jewelry tree. People have known about the sweet taste of fruits for centuries, and every nation on whose lands these trees with spreading crowns can be found gave them their own name.

There are references to sweet carob beans in the Bible - they were eaten by the prodigal son and John the Baptist. The healing and nutritional properties of beans are well known to the inhabitants of the Mediterranean, and merchants brought Tsaregrad pods to us from Constantinople until the beginning of the last century, then a period of oblivion began. With the beginning of the new millennium, carob (a sweet powder made from dried and roasted fruits), chocolate-flavoured syrup and locust bean gum reappeared on the domestic market. Now the number of fans of Ceratonia Siliqua is growing exponentially.

Interesting information about the carob tree:

Ceratonia is a unique tree with many amazing properties:

Where does the carob tree grow and what does it look like?

Usually an evergreen carob tree reaches a height of 10 meters. You can meet him on the rocky slopes in the oak, pine and juniper forests of the Mediterranean. In the homeland of ceratonia - in Italy, Spain, Israel, Portugal, Turkey, Cyprus - hundred-year-old and older trees are not uncommon. Also, ceratonia grow in the tropics and subtropics of India, Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, America, Australia and Africa. The carob tree is successfully cultivated in the Caucasus.

Industrial plantings in Spain occupy over 150 thousand hectares, and in Cyprus 70,000 tons of sweet pods are harvested every year, most of the crop is intended for feeding livestock.

An unpretentious tree feels great on infertile stony soils. Strong roots go deep into the crevices and supply the plant with moisture. Brown bark covers strong trunks with a branched crown. The twisted branches intertwine and the hard oval leaves form a dense crown.

At seven years, ceratonia begins to bloom and bear fruit with fleshy beans, reaching 30 cm, which contain hard grains and light tart flesh. Green fruits have an astringent and pungent taste, they are unsuitable for consumption. Once ripe, the indehiscent beans turn dark brown and have a sweet taste.

Useful substances in the fruits of the carob tree

Only the pulp of the beans is eaten; gum is produced from the seeds. In addition to an attractive sweet taste, the fruits are interesting for their rich content of nutrients. The pulp is 56% fructose, sucrose, maltose. The carob tree contains gallic acid and polyphenols, cellulose, B, E and A vitamins, calcium, potassium, copper, sodium, zinc, magnesium, manganese.

• With high saturation with sugars, carob (dried fruit powder) is a dietary product. Bean fibers slow down the absorption of sugar, blood glucose levels rise slowly, so chocolate, cocoa, carob syrup in moderation are allowed for diabetes.
• The pulp is rich in vegetable proteins. Dried bean flour is mixed with cereal to form blends that are nutritionally comparable to animal proteins, and are free of gluten. This is important in a gluten-free diet.
• There are practically no fats in carob beans, but there are fatty acids that are not synthesized in the body. In particular, the use of carob or syrup allows you to get linolenic and oleic acids.
• In sweet fruits there is a natural antioxidant tannin, which prevents cancer.
• Fibrin, pectin and lignin eliminate pathogenic microflora in the intestine and promote the formation of lactobacilli.
• Pectin protects the mucous membranes of the digestive tract from hazardous heavy metals.
• Bean tea acts as a cough medicine and other manifestations of colds.
• Decoctions from the fruits of the carob tree help to heal damage to the mucous membranes with gingivitis, stomatitis and pharyngitis. Lotions relieve inflammation of the eyes and soothe inflammation of the throat well.

The bones of the carob tree.

Locust bean gum

Gum is better known as food additive E410. It is used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as an emulsifier and stabilizer. The chemical composition of locust bean gum is close to that of guar gum. It is a light yellow odorless powder, which is the remains of monosaccharides.

When dissolved in hot water (85 ° C), the stabilizer becomes viscous, retains its properties in a salty and acidic environment, and when heated. When cooled, the product with E410 acquires a gel-like texture. These properties make gum an ingredient widely used in the production of ice cream, processed cheese, dairy desserts, bread, fruit and vegetable preserves.

• E410 does not react in the gastrointestinal tract, is not absorbed and is completely excreted from the body.
• The harmlessness of the additive allows it to be used in the manufacture of baby food. Carob gum is allowed as a dietary supplement in almost all countries.
• Gum, like fresh locust beans, acts as an astringent. The supplement facilitates digestion, helps with upset and other disorders in the stomach. In addition, it is recommended for the treatment of asthma, cystitis and laryngitis, and has an expectorant effect.
• Also, gum is widely used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetology, it is added to creams for mature and problem skin, gels and other care products.

Carob bean flour - carob

Carob flour is more commonly referred to as carob. After grinding the pulp of mature beans, a powder is obtained with a high content of carbohydrates and vegetable proteins. Flour resembles cocoa in taste and color, but has its own sugars and does not require sweetening for culinary use. Chocolates and sweets are made from the powder, it is used in baking and for making delicious drinks.

Carob is obtained by grinding raw or roasted beans; after heat treatment, almost all useful substances are preserved in the powder, and fiber, which does not completely dissolve in water, promotes digestion.

Although carob is called chocolate for those who are contraindicated in caffeine, the similarity of these products is more superficial. However, the taste of the fruits of ceratonia is pleasant, and there is still a slight aftertaste of cocoa.

Carob Benefits:

• Ceratonia is not susceptible to pests, so there is no need to treat trees with pesticides.
• Beans do not contain caffeine and theobramine, which excite the nervous system and are addictive. Carob can be safely consumed with high blood pressure and heart problems.
• The product does not cause allergic reactions, it is approved for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Chocolate from cocoa often provokes the appearance of acne, especially in adolescents. Carob does not contain oxalic acid, which leaches zinc and potassium from the body, so the skin receives sufficient nutrition and is not irritated.
• Carob from unroasted fruits acts as a reliable remedy for diarrhea, soothes the stomach. An environmentally friendly product is recommended even for infants.

Syrup from ceratonia

Carob syrup or molasses is obtained by boiling the crushed pods and evaporating the water. Thick sweet substance is in high demand in many countries - syrup is added to pastries and drinks, sweets are made with it, ice cream, cottage cheese, pancakes and desserts are poured. Delicious natural sweetener can be added to tea and other hot and cold drinks. In molasses, all useful substances are concentrated, so it is often used as a medicine for coughs and stomach disorders.

Useful properties of syrup:

• Children love the sweet taste. The syrup can be given to strengthen the immune system and recover from illness. Kids are happy to eat dishes with this product and at the same time receive vitamins, proteins and trace elements.
• The absence of refined sugar makes the product acceptable for diabetics. Natural sugars do not provoke sharp jumps in blood glucose levels and are recommended for diabetics when consumed in moderation.
• Syrup has three times more calcium than milk.
• The healing properties of the syrup are recognized by folk and official medicine; medicines for coughs, sore throats, insomnia and diarrhea are prepared on its basis.
• The syrup normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract, it is equally effective for constipation, diarrhea and poisoning.

A system for losing weight on ceratonia syrup has been developed. It has been noticed that excess weight goes away if you drink a glass of water with a tablespoon of syrup and a teaspoon of lemon juice before meals. Substances of the carob tree suppress appetite, the first results of the diet are noticeable after 7-10 days.

Tea with carob

Carob pods are used in the preparation of herbal tea. Crushed dry beans are brewed with boiling water and a sweet drink is obtained that tastes like spicy compote. Carob tea can be drunk every day, it retains all the beneficial substances of the carob tree and does not contain caffeine, which is not always useful for everyone.

In shops you can find green tea with carob. In this combination, carob powder is traditionally brewed in the East. The fortified drink has a pleasant aroma and an interesting tart-sweet taste. Tea with carob is brewed in the usual way: a teaspoon of the dry mixture is placed in a warm teapot for each cup and one more spoon, poured with water at a temperature slightly below boiling (+ 90-95 ° C) and infused for about 10 minutes.

Contraindications: So that a useful product does not cause harm

All the gifts of the carob tree are a real treasure. An excellent cocoa substitute, healing, nutritious and rich in nutrients, it will bring many benefits if used wisely.

• There are practically no contraindications to the use of carob, syrup and gum, but individual intolerance cannot be ruled out. If this is your first time opening a pack of this herbal product, start with a small portion and see how your body reacts to a new dish.
• It is not recommended to consume carob with milk, so as not to provoke indigestion and nausea.
• It is problematic to lose weight on a carob diet - carob substances slow down metabolic processes, and an abundance of fructose does not contribute to weight loss. The effect will come only with a decrease in the caloric content of the diet.
• With fructose intolerance, it is better to refuse carob.
• Diabetic patients should be cautious about introducing a new product into the diet. Natural sugars do not lead to sharp spikes in blood glucose levels, but if consumed in moderation, the condition can worsen. Check with your doctor.

Carob beans diversify the diet, for vegans and raw foodists they will be a real gift in the form of factory-made and home-made chocolate. The benefits of chocolate paste, syrup and carob drinks in baby food have also been proven in practice. Carob is becoming more and more popular among people leading a healthy lifestyle.

carob syrup

In Western countries, carob products have long been widely used in cooking, for the manufacture of various medicines and as food supplements. A special place is occupied by carob syrup, which has many useful properties. This product has gained particular popularity among adherents of a healthy diet.

Content

• Vitamins and minerals

Benefit

The syrup has found use in medicine and cooking, and vegetarians are happy to include it in their diet as a natural sweetener. Carob syrup (or carob) is on the menu of people who seek to maintain their health without giving up sweets. This product is used for the production of confectionery.

This syrup can be used by people with heart disease, blood vessels, it will not harm those who have frequent migraines, suitable for taking with vegetative-vascular dystonia, urolithiasis.

Due to its low calorie content, this product is considered dietary and is suitable for use in case of obesity, in diseases of the nervous system. It is also a welcome addition to the menu of people who want to get rid of excess weight.

The rich chemical composition has made this syrup an important tool in the fight against diseases of the teeth and gums.

Other useful properties of this syrup include:

• antitumor activity;
• acceleration of metabolism and decrease in appetite;
• overeating prevention;
• reducing the likelihood of developing problems with potency;
• body rejuvenation.

Due to the presence of tannins, pectin, vitamins, organic acids in carob, this remedy is effective in the prevention of respiratory diseases and infectious diseases. In folk medicine, carob syrup is used to treat nervous disorders.

Antioxidants, which are in carob syrup, relieve frequent colds, reduce the risk of premature skin aging, and have a general strengthening effect on the entire body.

It is especially important to use carob syrup for people with weakened bronchi and smokers. Also, this product is used to treat acute respiratory viral infections and tonsillitis, is part of cosmetics for face and body skin care. With it, you can prolong youth, get rid of fine wrinkles, improve complexion.

Harm

Carob syrup is not an allergen, and therefore it can be introduced into the diet of people with frequent skin rashes. This product does not contain toxic, harmful substances and carcinogens.

Losing weight with this syrup will be effective. But you should not replace a full meal with this sweet syrup. Otherwise, problems may arise in the metabolic processes of the body, which will slow down the metabolism and complicate the process of getting rid of centimeters of excess fat.

The homeland of the carob tree (carob, Ceratonia leguminous, Tsaregradsky pods, sweet horn, John's breadfruit tree) is considered to be the Mediterranean.

An evergreen plant, reaching a height of up to 12 m, with a wide crown, dense pinnate leaves and fruits collected in a pod, belongs to the legume family. Its various parts have been used in cooking and folk medicine since ancient times.

The composition of the beans contains the polysaccharide polygalactomannan, which determines the constancy of the weight of the fruit (0.19 g) and their hardness. In antiquity (in the era of the Roman Empire), hard and flat seeds were used as a measure of weight, from which the term carat originated (an expression for the mass of pearls and precious stones).

Powdered dried carob pods are used in the confectionery industry as a substitute for cocoa. Another name for the powder is carob or carob flour.

And this powder is indispensable in the treatment of diarrhea. To heal an upset stomach per day, it is enough to use about 25 grams of the product, diluted with warm water and milk, with the addition of 4 grams of starch.

Useful properties of carob

Carob beans, 10 to 25 cm long, 2 to 4 cm wide and ½-1 cm thick, have a rich brown color and a firm structure. The seeds in the fruits of the plant are covered with juicy sweet pulp, in which the content of natural sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose) reaches up to 50%. Sweet fruit pulp and flour powder from them replace sugar, which is especially important for patients with diabetes and obesity.

Rich in starch, dietary fiber, tannins, proteins and organic acids, the fruits have excellent taste and medicinal properties. Carob contains vitamins B, D, useful fatty acids, tannin, pectin, antioxidants and a whole complex of macro- and microelements: iron, magnesium, chromium, potassium, calcium, iodine, boron, selenium, zinc, etc.

Due to this biochemical composition, the fruits have the following therapeutic properties:

• expectorant;
• antioxidant;
• anti-inflammatory;
• sedative;
• cleansing;
• immunomodulatory;
• antiemetic;
• diuretic;
• hypoglycemic;
• restorative;
• adsorbent;
• antidiarrheal;
• astringent.

When fresh, the fruits exhibit a laxative effect, but dried bean flour has powerful antidiarrheal qualities, since it absorbs toxic substances when it enters the intestines. The dietary fibers of the carob powder help to transform the liquid into a colloidal gel, which relaxes the intestinal walls and normalizes the functioning of the organ.

For the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, a symptom of which is diarrhea, a decoction of carob fruits is used: pour ½ kg of fresh raw materials with a liter of hot water, soak in a water bath for about an hour, strain. Reception of the elixir 15 ml three times a day 20 minutes before the main meals.

carob syrup

Useful properties of carob fruits are also transferred to derivative products, so fruit syrup has a powerful healing effect. A sticky substance of dark brown, almost black color and a dense structure resembling honey, is used to make cocktails and various drinks.

The product is indispensable in the treatment of respiratory pathologies and helps with coughing, tracheitis, as well as hoarseness and pain in the throat.

With the help of syrup, they improve the condition of the gastrointestinal tract and cleanse the intestines of accumulated metabolites, toxins, toxins and carcinogens. According to folk healers, the product heals nervous disorders, melancholy, irritability attacks, migraines and insomnia. And its resorption eliminates small sores and wounds on the oral mucosa.

For the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhea and cleansing the digestive system of toxins, use 1 tbsp. spoons of carob syrup 3 to 5 times a day (taken half an hour before the main meals). For children from 2 to 5 years old, the dose is 1 teaspoon 3 times a day, and from 5 to 12 years old - 1 dessert spoon 3 times a day.

The beneficial properties of carob syrup will also help in the treatment of coughs, colds, sore throats, bronchitis, pneumonia, SARS, acute respiratory infections - the syrup is diluted in a glass of hot water (60 ° C) and taken up to 6 times a day. Treatment is carried out until complete healing and cessation of coughing.

• Against nervous disorders, insomnia and frequent headaches, the remedy is taken in the same way (treatment course up to 90 days).

Syrup also helps to normalize weight. The use of the following cocktail: dissolve a tablespoon of syrup in a glass of warm water and add fresh juice squeezed from ¼ of a lemon fruit, a quarter of an hour before a meal twice a day (lunch and dinner) relieves hunger attacks, depresses appetite, activates metabolism, which leads to natural reduction in calorie intake and, ultimately, weight loss. The course of treatment is 2 weeks.

From bean seeds, a thickener, stabilizer and emulsifier is obtained, which is widely used in the food industry (food additive E410), called locust bean gum. For the production of the product, the seeds are softened by soaking, after which the shell and germ are removed. Plant gum is extracted from the crushed endosperm.

The product is used in the treatment of diseases of the broncho-pulmonary system and nasopharynx, indigestion, cystitis, obesity, diarrhea and some sexually transmitted diseases. Traditional medicine recommends the use of gum as an antiemetic.

For the treatment of nausea and vomiting, adults are prescribed the use of 1 tbsp. spoons of gum per 200 ml of drinking water. The following drink can stop vomiting in infants: 1 g of gum per 0.1 liter of mother's milk at each feeding.

• Before starting the reception, consultation of an experienced pediatrician is required.

Carob tree - good, but harm?

Speaking about the benefits, and the harm of carob fruits, one should not forget. All products made on the basis of fruits, although they do not have a toxic effect on the body, but when therapeutic doses are exceeded, constipation may occur.

Be healthy!

Today I want to tell you about the health benefits of carob syrup. You may not be familiar with this unique dietary product, which is a natural sweetener. You will learn how carob syrup is useful, and how to use it in cooking, traditional medicine and cosmetology.

For the first time I got acquainted with carob syrup while relaxing in Cyprus. There you can meet it everywhere: in supermarkets, in small shops, in the market, because Cyprus is the birthplace of this mighty evergreen tree.

Carob syrup is a sweet, viscous must-like chocolate-colored liquid. It is made from bean-like pods with large grains and juicy flesh without added sugar. The sweetness comes from the sucrose, glucose and fructose found in the pulp of the carob pods.

What is the healing power of carob syrup

Nature has created a unique product - a natural sugar substitute. Carob syrup contains vitamins such as: C, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, E, PP, as well as minerals: manganese, iron, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, calcium (with 3 times more than in milk), copper, zinc, tannins, organic acids, pectin.

100 carob syrup covers 70.05% of the body's daily need for iron, 14.72% for manganese, 11.25% for magnesium, and 10% for calcium.

Thanks to this composition, carob syrup:

• improves the functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
• restores the composition of the blood;
• regulates the activity of the digestive system;
• strengthens the immune system;
• treats colds;
• positively affects eye health;
• promotes weight loss;
• increases libido;
• has a slight diuretic effect;
• is an excellent substitute for coffee and chocolate;
• reduces the level of bad cholesterol;
• strengthens the nervous system, improves sleep.

The use of carob syrup is very diverse. It is used in cooking, medicine and even cosmetology.

The use of carob syrup in cooking

In cooking, it is used as a sugar substitute: added to pastries, tea, coffee. Pour porridge, cottage cheese, pancakes and even salad.

I am happy to share the recipe. vegetable salad with carob syrup . To prepare the salad you will need:

• carrot, apple, orange (one each),
• beets, celery root (100 grams each),
• prunes (12 pieces),
• olive or sunflower oil - 1 tablespoon
• carob syrup - 3 tablespoons.

Grate vegetables (carrots, beets, celery root) on a Korean carrot grater, apples on a regular grater, steam prunes and cut into pieces, peel the orange and cut into slices.

Mix everything, season with oil and pour carob syrup. The taste is very original.

The taste of carob syrup is special and takes some getting used to, but I especially enjoy using this syrup in baking.

If you add syrup when baking a cake, then after heat treatment, you will feel the pleasant taste of chocolate and the cake will be chocolate-colored.

In addition, special sweets can be purchased in Cyprus - nuts in carob syrup, usually almonds and walnuts are prepared in this way. Such sweets are very useful for children and diabetics, as they do not contain sugar.

You can make sweets from dried fruits by adding carob syrup to them.

The use of carob syrup in traditional medicine

At home, carob syrup is good to use for the treatment of sore throats, coughs,.

For the treatment of colds in one glass of hot water (temperature about 60 degrees) dissolve one tablespoon of carob syrup. And during the day they drink 5-6 glasses of this drink. It is well known that when you have a cold, you often need to drink plenty of water. This drink has a mild diuretic effect, which helps to remove toxins from a sick body. You can also gargle with a sore throat with a prepared drink.

If you have constipation or diarrhea , then carob syrup will come to the rescue. To defeat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, you need to take the syrup in this way:

• adults 1 tablespoon of syrup 4-5 times a day half an hour before meals;
• children 2-5 years old - 1 teaspoon once a day;
• children 5 to 12 years old - 1 teaspoon 3 times a day.
• children under 2 years of age are not recommended to use carob syrup.

If you are worried about insomnia, nervous disorders, headaches , then you should take this syrup 1 tablespoon 5-6 times a day before meals. Reception should be carried out in courses - 3 months, then a break of 2 weeks and can be repeated.

For weight loss you should prepare a special drink: take water at room temperature, and dilute a tablespoon of syrup in it, adding a slice of lemon and mix everything thoroughly until the syrup is completely dissolved. Such a drink should be prepared 2 times a day and drunk 5-15 minutes before meals (at lunch and dinner). After 2 weeks, add another dose before breakfast.

The use of carob syrup in cosmetology

Carob syrup is added to face and body skin care products. The presence of oxidants rejuvenates the skin, keeps it fresh and youthful, reduces fine wrinkles, makes your skin radiant.

Today you learned about carob syrup and its beneficial properties and uses. I hope that this information was useful to you, my dear readers. Be healthy.

Sincerely, Nadezhda Karacheva

The carob tree in Cyprus is one of the most famous plants. There is even a Carob Museum in Limassol where you can learn a lot of interesting things about it. Almost everywhere in Cyprus you can buy syrup made from the fruit of the tree. It is considered very useful.

What is this tree?

This plant is called the carob tree for the shape of its fruit. It belongs to the legume family, has the appearance of a tall tree with a spreading crown and fruits in the form of a pod with beans. The pod is bent, resembling a ram's horn, which is why the tree is called carob. In Cyprus, the carob tree can be found very often, both in cultivated gardens and growing in the wild. Moreover, it grows even in the mountains, the root system "learned" to extract minerals and moisture in mountain soil poor in useful substances.

The scientific name is siliculose ceratonia. The name comes from the Greek word "ceratiοn" (or "ceras"), which means "horn". It is noteworthy that the term "carat" (the well-known jewelry measure of weight) also comes from this word. The fact is that carob beans have approximately the same shape and weight (slightly less than 0.2 grams), and in ancient times they were used as weights. True, later it was determined that the weight of one bean is still not equal to a carat, but the name has already taken root.

Carob syrup in Cyprus is very popular, because of it, this plant is cultivated. They also use wood that is dense enough to be used in carpentry. To be fair, it's not hard enough to be considered one of the best types of wood, and you'll most often find small crafts made from carob. Also, paper products are made from carob wood.

What is the benefit of syrup?

If carob wood has not become a unique type of material, then the fruits, on the contrary, can be called simply miraculous. They contain a lot of useful substances:

• fructose,
• proteins,
• pectin,
• potassium,
• antioxidants.

It should not be surprising that the syrup from these beans has many virtues. It is used in cooking, medicine, cosmetic industry. Another advantage was that this syrup is completely natural. Due to the presence of fructose in the composition, it does not require the addition of sugar in the production. And the syrup is also unique in its taste: even without additional additives, it is pleasant to drink it. It has a sweet taste with a slight chocolate bitterness.


The use of carob syrup from Cyprus in cooking is very common. It can be drunk by people who are not healthy with high-calorie cocoa: the taste of the syrup is very similar to a chocolate drink. It is added as a thickener (pectin) to confectionery: marshmallow, marshmallow, jelly. And also carob syrup is added to sauces, not only to sweet, but also to meat dishes. You can also use it as an independent addition to various dishes: pour over pancakes or muffins, add to tea.

For medical purposes, cough syrup is used. It also strengthens bone tissue, improves bowel function, and helps normalize blood pressure. It is recommended for sleep disorders and as a general sedative. And finally, carob syrup promotes weight loss! To reduce weight, you need to dilute a spoonful of syrup in a glass of water and drink half an hour before meals.

Due to the absence of sugar in the finished syrup, even diabetics can take it. True, a high amount of fructose can still increase blood sugar if you drink a lot of syrup. Therefore, it is recommended to use it in small doses. You should also not give syrup to babies under 3 years old, at least without consulting a pediatrician, again due to the high content of fructose in the composition. Otherwise, this syrup has no contraindications.

Carob syrup from Cyprus is a must try. And bring home to get a little healthier. Or you can just add it to tea or sauce to remember your holidays in sunny Cyprus.

The use of carob syrup from Cyprus; description

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