The dessert world has been ruled by chocolate for hundreds of years. Many alternative, healthier options are constantly popping up. Carob has been one of these popular alternatives. Is it really like chocolate? Could it really rival the beauty that is chocolate? Let’s take a look and explore it a little more.
All About Carob
1. What It Is
Carob is an extremely versatile plant that is often used as an alternative to chocolate. It grows in the form of a flowering shrub and is native to the Mediterranean region, specifically in the southern parts of Spain. It has been consumed since ancient times and has been regaining popularity in the recent years for it’s amazing health benefits.
2. Health
One of the many benefits of carob consumption is the high amount of calcium that is contains, which is nearly 100 milligrams per ounce. Carob is also very rich in iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, and selenium. There is also no caffeine present in carob, nor theobromine, which is what makes chocolate dangerous for dogs. Carob is also very low in fat. One other great health benefit of carob is the presence of a wide variety of B vitamins.
3. Uses
Carob is available in many different types of forms. These include powders for baking, chips for cookies, and whole for candy making and coating. The uses of carob are virtually endless. It is most commonly used as a chocolate substitute, however many people argue it’s likeliness to chocolate.
Chocolate Facts
1. Basics
Chocolate is made from the beans that grown on the cacao tree and is the world’s third most traded agricultural product. These plants are native to It is widely loved and used in a multitude of different ways. Depending on the type of chocolate that you eat, it can have some great health benefits.
2. Nutrition
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is extremely nutritious and can have some great benefits for the body. Chocolate lowers cholesterol levels, studies have shown that the plant sterols and cocoa flavanols have a positive effect on cholesterol levels. Chocolate also contains small amounts of the stimulant caffeine. Caffeine in itself has also been shown to help protect the body from heart disease as well as lower your risk for diabetes.
3. Types
There is a variety of different types of chocolates that are available. Dark chocolate is considered the “healthiest” of all of these. There is also varying levels of sweetened chocolates that are available. Milk chocolate is the most popular of these and is used in things like candy bars and ice creams. Semisweet chocolates, which are not as bitter as dark but not as sweet as milk, are commonly used for baking.
Differences Between Carob and Chocolate
1. Taste
One of the largest differences between carob and chocolate is the way that they taste. Chocolate, while still bitter, is significantly sweeter than carob. Carob is also usually not sweetened at all, adding even more to it’s bitter taste.
2. Caffeine
Another large difference between chocolate and carob is that chocolate contains a pretty substantial amount of caffeine. Caffeine has a number of different health benefits to the body. Carob does not contain any caffeine at all.
3. Variety
Chocolate has many different varieties. All taste a bit different with varying levels of sweetness. Carob doesn’t come in different varieties. The products it’s used in may be overly sweetened to compensate for the bitterness of carob.
4. Texture
The texture is also different with these two. Chocolate can easily be made into a creamy, and delicious treat. Carob is very chalky and is difficult to work with when it comes to desserts.