I’ve always thought that carob has gotten an unfair rep as “fake chocolate.” Sure, it can be used in place of chocolate for people who are sensitive to caffeine. And dogs can eat carob while eating chocolate could kill them. But carob is one of those ingredients that really stands well on its own merit. Carob is so misunderstood.
I remember as a kid, my mom would take me to the health food store (the Natural High, with two of the fittest looking owners you could ever imagine) and let me pick out a treat. I remember often picking the carob candy bar. Perhaps this is why I still have a fondness for it, while others turn up their nose at it.
What’s your take on the mighty carob?
Posted in Food and Beverage
Jeani December 19, 2006, 3:42 pm
Ryan, I never thought I could disagree with you so vehemently!
Perhaps it’s because my parents were a little too “granola” and tried to replace chocolate with carob throughout my childhood for no known reason. (They were anti-sugar, but carob usually has sugar, so I haven’t figured that one out.)
I have no idea why a person would want to eat carob. Certainly it does not work as a chocolate substitute. And why else would you want it? The taste is simply … ugh.
Honestly, I’d even have a hard time feeding carob to my (soon-to-be-adopted) dog. But, as a good little doggie mommy, I probably will.
Cat December 19, 2006, 10:08 pm
See, my mom also took me to the health food store and let me pick out a treat. Which is why I hatehatehate carob. I figured out quickly that peanut butter bars were a much better bet.
Ryan December 19, 2006, 10:17 pm
Man, you people are venomous in your hate of carob.
Paul December 20, 2006, 12:45 pm
For the record, I’ve tried carob and think it’s okay – but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it. And it’s definitely not a chocolate substitute. Heck, neither is white chocolate. (OH! BURN!)
Monica December 21, 2006, 2:26 am
Once my mom sent me a comic titled “pirates of the carob bean” .. I think all the non-vegans had to walk the plank or something. 🙂
The best stuff at the local natural foods store (the Wheat and Meat Retreat!) was the dried fruit. Mmmm, chewy and sugary fruit goodness!