Have you Bean There?: Carob Beans

Scientific Name: Ceratonia siliqua

Carob Beans are species of the pea family and it is also known as St. John's Beard or Locust Bean. It is a native to the Middle East, Mediterranean regions and Micronesia. It is said that the family of the Carob tree or shrub species is starting to get extinct. It grows about 10 meters tall with thick dark brown trunk and hard branches.  The flowers are very small and blooms in clusters. Its leaves are oblong in shape and evergreen in color. The pods are dark brown that are somewhat flat and can be curved or straight. When the pods are ripe, they fall from the tree and the seeds usually scatter on the ground producing new seedlings.

Carob Beans are good for people who have high blood pressure and can prevent cancer. It contains Gallic acids that are good for treating children with polio. Gallic acid is also works as an antiseptic, antibacterial and antioxidant agent which is good for thew body. It contains Vitamin E and it can also prevent flu when you eat Carob Beans frequently. It can also fight osteoporosis because it contains Calcium.

Carob beans are ground then can be added as ingredients into various types of food such as cakes, breads and other pastries. The Carob Bean itself can be cooked for meals. The pods can be boiled to produce Carob Tea. Ground Carob Beans, combined with sugar and honey, can be formed into desired shapes to produce candies which can also be a substitute for Chocolates.