The benefit of Carob

                   

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.