Carob trees are quite popular in Malta, although they are also protected,
as some people were cutting them down.
It is a huge tree that is woven into the Maltese mental and physical landscape,
so steeped in our culture and history.
It is common in Southern and Eastern Mediterranean countries and is
officially called Ceratonia Siliqua. The pods that the trees produces are
packed with calcium, sucrose, protein and a variety of vitamins and
minerals. Some of these pods are picked up from the ground and fed to animals as
fodder. In Cyprus, up until the 1940s, carob was a major agricultural export.
It was even called the ‘black gold of Cyprus.’ In Malta our association with
carob lie predominantly with the Karamelli, delightful Lenten treats that are
sold as candy pieces. The dried pods can also be ground into flour and used in
all manner of baked goods like brownies and crackers. Carob also contains
Gallic acid that works in a wonder of ways. It potentially acts as an
analgesic, anti-allergic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral and
antiseptic! It has been said to improve digestion, lower cholesterol levels in
blood, and is often used for treating bowel disorders in children and adults.
Finally it’s worth noting that during World War II, food was so scarce in Malta
that eating carob pods saved he population from near starvation. In times of
scarcity, they were dried and ground into flour to make bread.
Thursday 14 January 2021
The benefit of Carob
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