FAQ
●What is Carob?
●Origin and historical?
●Carob produce in how many forms?
●Who should consume Carob?
●Can pregnant women consume Carob?
●Can Children consume Carob?
●What does Carob taste like?
●Which company produce the products?
●Why choose us?
●What is the process for each product?
●Health benefits of Carob?
●What are the uses of Carob?
●What kind of Certificate The Australian Carob Co. have?
●Carob very high in insoluble fibre and soluble fibre. What is these?
●Carob is caffeine free and Theobromine-free. What is Theobromine?
●Carob is free of phenethylamines. What is phenethylamines (PEA)?
●It is gluten free and suitable for coeliac patient. What is coeliac?
●Why the Carob powder taste astringent?
●What is Tannins?
●What is Gallic acid?
●The benefits of Gallic acid?
●Carob help in lower cholesterol. Why?
●Why Carob suitable for diabetic patients?
●Why Carob is a very good remedy for weight-management?
●How then is it best to incorporate Carob into the Singaporean diet to get health benefits from it. What should Singaporeans typically replace with Carob?
●How would you convince a typical chocolate lover to give Carob a try?
●For someone who is hesitate to give Carob a try, how would you encourage them to do so?
●Can I have a comment from you about the Carob products?
●Can I have substitute Carob syrup for sugar?
●Can Dialysis Patients eat Carob?
●What is the Glycemic index (GI) of Carob?
What is Carob?
- Fruit of the Carob tree, long, slightly curve, dark brown pod.
- Carob pods grow on a Carob tree and hang from the branches in bunches.
- From the point of flowering, it takes 11 months for the Carobs pods to mature on the tree ready for harvesting.
- Carob is a tropical pod that contains a sweet, edible pulp and inedible seeds. After drying, the pulp is roasted and ground into a powder that resembles cocoa powder, but does not have the same flavor and texture of chocolate.
- Carob is well known for its participation as a substitute for chocolate or cocoa as it offers not only more health benefits but is also much more people friendly when it comes to allergies or medical conditions and concerns.
Origin and historical uses?
- Carob is a species that has a long history of use by humans. Carob is native to the eastern Mediterranean, probably the Middle East, where it has been in cultivation for at least 4000 years. The plant was well known to the ancient Greeks, who planted seeds of this plant in Greece and Italy.
- Use of Carob products by humans date back to ancient Greece and Egypt where the plant was used as a source of food, beverage and medicine.
- There is even mention of Carob in the Bible as “St. John’s bread” or “locust bean.” (This is because people believed that John the Baptist was eating locusts.)
- Carob has been used throughout history as a remedy for diarrhea. Additionally, nineteenth century British chemists sold Carob pods to singers to chew on to maintain healthy vocal chords and soothe the throat.
- Carob Powder (Raw or Roasted), Kibbles (Raw or Oven-baked) and Pure Carob syrup.
- They are available HERE
Who should consume Carob?
- High cholesterol
- Diabetic patients
- Obesity
- Chocolate allergy
- Gluten intolerance
- Dairy allergy
- Nut allergy
- High blood glucose level
- Health conscious person
- Diarrhea
Can pregnant women consume Carob?
- Using high levels of Carob may not be safe, particularly for pregnant women. Check with your doctor if you plan to take Carob as a supplement.
Can children consume Carob?
- For little ones and toddlers there are much healthier substitutes for your children when making treats for them. You can simply swap the Cacao to Carob! Benefits of Carob Include: Carobs are high in protein, contain essential vitamins and are a healthy alternative to most snack foods.
What does Carob taste like?
- Carob as a chocolate substitute but it doesn’t really taste like chocolate at all. About all it has in common with chocolate is the color. Click here to find out more
Which company produce the products?
- Located in Booborowie, near Burra, South Australia The Australian Carob Company
Who choose us?
- The Australian Carob Co are the only non-contaminated pure Carob products in the world from nuts and gluten and therefore being allergy free.
- UDSA Certified Organic & Australian Certified Organic
- HACCP accredited and Certified Non GMO
- Halal & Kosher Certified
- We are the only Carob processors that wash their Carobs for cleanliness & food safety.
- We growing the trees, harvesting the trees, washing, kibbling, roasting, milling and packing the products all on farm, we can be sure of what we are selling is top quality every time and consistent.
- No additives, No colors, No preservative and No added sweeteners.
What is the process for each product?
Health benefits of Carob?
- Carob contains many health benefits, which depending on how the plant is prepared, can be used as a natural remedy for human health issues. The pod consists of three different parts; the outer husk, the nutritive endosperm and the inner seed.
- Carobs are high in protein, contain essential vitamins and are a healthy alternative to most snack foods. Carobs are beneficial as they are:
Free of Phenylethylamines*Find out-What is Phenylethylamines?
Nut-free, dairy-free and gluten-free
Virtually fat-free
High in dietary fibre content
Rich in antioxidants
High in Calcium and Phosphorous – fight against osteoporosis
Low in Sodium and high in Potassium
Able to improve digestion and treat diarrhoea
Able to lower cholesterol and regulate blood glucose level
Suitable for diabetic patients
Used as herbal remedy for weight-loss
Used for treatment of cough, flu and anaemia
A good source of vitamin E, Thiamine (vitamin B), Riboflavin (vitamin B2),Niacin(vitamin A), alpha-tocopherol, and ergocalciferol (vitamin D2).
What are the uses of Carob?
- People use the Carob fruit for medicine and in foods.
- Medicinally, Carob is used for digestion problems including diarrhea, heartburn, and the intestine’s inability to properly absorb certain nutrients from food. These absorption disorders include celiac disease and sprue.
- Other uses of carob include treatment of obesity, vomiting during pregnancy, and high cholesterol. In infants, carob is used for vomiting, retching cough, and diarrhea.
- In foods and beverages, Carob is used as a flavoring agent and as a chocolate substitute. Carob flour and extracts are also used as ingredients in food products.
What kind of Certificate The Australian Carob Co. have?
- UDSA Certified Organic & Australian Certified Organic
- HACCP accredited
- Non GMO Certified
- Halal Certified
- Kosher Certified
Carob very high in insoluble fibre and soluble fibre. What is these?
- There are two types of fibre: soluble and insoluble. The difference is soluble fibre is digested by the body, insoluble fibre isn't.
Carob is caffeine free and Theobromine-free. What is Theobromine?
- Primary benefit of Carob as a chocolate substitute is that, unlike cocoa, Carob contains no caffeine or theobromine. Theobromine is considered to be a stimulant. Its effect is caffeine-like and similar to tea.
- Although theobromine itself does not have caffeine, the stimulation of the heart and nervous system that it causes acts like a caffeine. (Hence why dogs should not eat chocolate.) And it is why do not recommend Cacao for young children.
Carob is free of phenethylamines. What is phenethylamines (PEA)?
- Carob does not contain phenylethylamine which can trigger migraines and allergic reactions to some peoples.
- Gluten is part of certain foods - mainly foods made from wheat, barley and rye. Various symptoms can develop including tummy (abdominal) pains, tiredness and weight loss.
- Coeliac disease mainly affects the part of the gut called the small intestine. It can occur at any age. Coeliac disease is caused by a reaction of the gut to gluten.
What is Tannins?
The benefits of Gallic acid?
Carob help in lower chocolesterol.Why?
- Because it contains Lignin and Polyphenols that can helps binds bile acids and cholesterol LDL together for excretion. There are two types of Cholesterol.
LDL-Low density lipoprotein | Bad cholesterol carries cholesterol to your cells. But when you have too much LDL it can build up in your artery walls, causing them to narrow. This reduces blood flow, which can be bad for you heart health. |
HDL-High density lipoprotein | Good cholesterol carries excess cholesterol in your blood back to your liver where it’s broken down and removed from your body. This means a high level of good HDL cholesterol can maintain your heart health. |
Why Carob suitable for diabetic patients?
Carob is typically seen as a healthy substitute for baking chocolate in many Western Cultures. In Singapore, people don’t usually bake though. How then is it best to incorporate carob into the Singaporean diet to get health benefits from it.
What should Singaporeans typically replace with Carob?
What should Singaporeans typically replace with Carob?
- Yes. Most of the Carob recipes in the Western countries are for baking desserts and most Singaporean don’t bake at home.
- One of the ways to incorporate Carob into our diets, is through our daily beverages. Carob are incorporated in beverages like chocolate/cocoa drink, you also can add Carob syrup into our coffee and tea as a substitute for sugar. We have create a few milk shake recipes and hot Carob drink as a starting point for Singaporeans to start using the product in their daily life.
- Many athletes, body builders, health-seeking people can have the alternative to replace chocolate in their daily dose of protein drink.
- Overnight rolled oats are now in a trend for Singaporeans looking for healthy breakfast, by adding Carob powder and Carob syrup, we can easier replace chocolate powder and maple syrup as a chocolate and sugar replacement. We can also replace maple syrup or honey in our pancakes too.
- Carob syrup are also used in replacing honey or maple syrup in marinating meat as well.
- We are also aim in introducing our products to local bakeries and cafes, so that it gives Singaporean a chance to taste Carob in different form. We hoping that the local bakeries can introduce Carob into their cake base so that it can replace chocolate for birthday cakes for children too.
How would you convince a typical chocolate lover to give Carob a try?
- It is going to be difficult task to convince a typical chocolate lover to change their opinion of getting an alternative for chocolate, as it is hard to find a replacement with the same flavor and mouth-feel that chocolate are providing. But if you are a chocolate lover and seeking healthy alternative, Carob will be the choice to make.
- As a chocolate lover, the reason you crave for chocolate because of several reasons:
- It taste good.
- It made you feel good.
- It contains chemical compounds that made you happy, energetic, hunger and emotional satisfying.
- It creates addiction and cravings.
- Health benefits like good for heart and lowering cholesterol.
- But with the list of benefits, there is also a list of disadvantages in consuming chocolate. Chocolate contains chemical substances from the same family as caffeine, which is found in coffee and tea. These chemicals are caffeine and theobromine. This family of chemical substances can cause or contribute to imperfect balance, racing heart, insomnia and sleep disturbances, fatigue, obesity, dizziness, irritability, agitation, anxiety, acne and many more. Some diseases and health problems, including heart disease, allergies, diabetes, stomach disturbances and depression can be also exacerbated by these substances.
- Although some studies suggested that moderate consumption of chocolate and cocoa products containing caffeine may be beneficial to adult health, nobody disagrees that when it comes to children it is really best avoided all together.
- Cocoa from which chocolate is made is naturally quite bitter and to cover up its bitterness, a large amounts of sugar and fat (including milk and cream) are added, which gives chocolate its rich, velvety texture and taste. These compounds and ingredients added lower resistance to diseases and hinder digestion and not mentioning the other additives that are added to chocolate before the product is finished.
- For part of the process necessary to produce chocolate, the coca beans must be left to ferment. During this process, it is possible for cancer causing agents to form, as well as for insects, rodents and small animals to contaminate the fermenting cocoa beans. These contaminants most of the time remain in the finished product. FDA USA allows up to 10 mg of animal excrement per pound, or up to 25 insect fragments per tablespoon of cocoa powder.
*The above points actually provide good reasons for chocolate lovers to seek alternative and Australia Carob is a good substitute for chocolate. It tastes great with a chocolate-like flavor but without the health risks, additives or contamination that comes with chocolate.
For someone who is hesitate to give Carob a try, how would you encourage them to do so?
- The health benefits are definitely one of the best attractive points to encourage someone to give Australia Carob a shot.
- Although Carob does not have flavorful taste like chocolate, the unique taste of the fruit give another dimension for people with allergies to gluten, caffeine, theobromine or even chocolate and as well as people who are diabetes or with heart problems.
- Especially for diabetic patients who are derived from sugared snacks, giving them a sweet pleasure in life, instead of using chemical sugar replacement products.
- It is also an alternative for parents who wants to give children healthier snacks and beverages besides introducing chocolate and too much sugared products in their early stages of childhood.
*Carobs are beneficial as they:
- Contain tannins that are rich in gallic acid. Gallic acid provides anti-allergic, antiseptic and anti-bacterial benefits. (Tannin tastes dry and astringent and you can feel it specifically on the middle of your tongue and the front part of your mouth.)
- Carobs are high in protein.
- Rich in insoluble fibre.
- Good source of vitamin E.
- Contain Thiamin (vitamin B), Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Niacin (vitamin A), alpha-tocopherol, and ergocalciferol (vitamin D2).
- Full of phytonutrients. (Health-promoting properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver-health-promoting activities.
- High in potassium and magnesium.
- Gluten free.
- Caffeine free.
- 100% natural with no chemicals or preservatives.
Carob contains many health benefits, According to investigated research, Carob can aid in the treatment of many health issues, such as:
1. Digestive health:
According to livingstrong.com, eating Carobs regularly can aid in the management of digestive health. The tannins found in Carobs can increase the effectiveness of certain substances (enzymes) that help to regulate the digestion process. Additionally, Carob provides powerful anti-viral benefits that supply the body with essential antioxidants. Foods rich in tannins are often recommended for treatment of diarrhea as it reduces acid production and combats related ailments.
2. Lowering cholesterol levels:
Due to the high percentage of insoluble fibre contained in Carobs, research shows Carobs have the potential to lower cholesterol levels. Carobs have naturally high levels of lignin and polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. According to the Prepared Foods Network, these antioxidants work by binding to stomach acids and cholesterol in order to help them pass through the body and be excreted.
3. Regulates blood sugar levels:
Experts say Carobs contain fibre that naturally helps to regulate blood sugar levels (useful for people who suffer from diabetes). As an insoluble fibre product (which contains pinitol, a type of inositol), Carob helps water bind in the digestive tract, which enhances the health of the intestinal tract and regulates blood glucose.
4. Weight control issues:
In a clinical trial conducted in the US, consumption of a Carob pulp preparation decreased postprandial responses of acylated ghrelin, triglycerides, suggesting a change toward increased fatty acid oxidation. In other words, Carob fibre might exert beneficial effects in energy intake, and thus, reduce body weight.
5. Osteoporosis and polio:
Carob is high in phosphorus and calcium, which means it may help in the fight against osteoporosis ailment. It has also been recommended for children who have had polio ailment, due to the high levels of calcium and gallic acid.
6. Common colds or influenza:
As Carobs are rich in vitamin E, and full of antioxidants and phytonutrients, they have, on occasion, been suggested in aid of the treatment of anemia, coughs, colds and influenza. Carobs also contain Gallic acid that provides anti-allergic, antiseptic, and anti-bacterial benefits. In some rare cases, experts have suggested Carobs be used to help reduce the changes of patients with lung cancer.
Can I have a comment from you about the Carob products (Raw Carob Kibbles, Roasted Carob powder, Carob syrup?
We have 5 products, which is Raw Carob Powder, Roasted Carob Powder, Raw Kibble Nibble, Ovenbaked Nibble and Syrup. The comments of products are as follows:-
Can I have substitute Carob syrup for sugar?
- You can also add Carob syrup as a substitute for sugar into coffee or any of your favourite beverage.
Can Dialysis Patients eat Carob?
- The amount of Potassium in Carob being 108mg per 20g serving.
- The American Association of Kidney Patients recommends a daily potassium intake of 2,000 to 3,000 miligrams for patient on hemodialysis.
- Patient on peritoneal dialysis are allowed a higher daily potassium intake,these patients can typically have 3,000 to 4,000 miligrams of potassium per day.
*However, your physician should always determine your ideal potassium intake based on your nutrition needs and current health status.
What is the Glycemic index (GI) of Carob?
- Carob has a GI between 15-20, which is very low. Carob is under low GI category.
