Carob in Mediterranean Cuisine
Carob is one of the rare fruits that grows on almost every coast of the Mediterranean and has therefore become the common culinary heritage of the region. It turns into syrup and pastel in Cyprus, syrup and bread in Crete, fasting desserts in Malta, molasses with tahini and Ramadan drink in the Levant; in Spain, it takes place both in the memory of the famine years and in modern food research.
Read MoreCarob in the Years of War and Famine
Carob has been both animal feed and a food used by people in difficult times for centuries in the Mediterranean basin. This fruit, which can bear fruit even in dry years, can be stored for a long time when dried, and is naturally sweet; It has become one of the means of survival during the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent famine years, in besieged Malta during the Second World War and in many rural areas of the Mediterranean.
Read MoreRoasted Carob: Roasting Process, Aroma and Uses
When raw, carob has a sweet but distinctive, slightly sour smell. When roasted, its color darkens, gaining notes reminiscent of cocoa and coffee. This transformation makes carob the basic raw material of many products, from coffee substitutes to cocoa substitutes, from syrups to liqueurs.
Read MoreCarob Coffee: The Decaffeinated Coffee Alternative
Carob coffee is a hot drink prepared not from coffee beans, but from roasted and ground carob fruit. Although it has "coffee" in its name, it has nothing to do with the coffee plant; it is called by this name because of its dark coffee-like color, roasted aroma and brewing. Its lack of caffeine and theobromine makes it an interesting alternative, especially for those who want to avoid stimulants.
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