Carob is a delicious alternative to coffee or hot chocolate as it doesn’t contain caffeine. It has a definite chocolate-like flavor and is something I recommend to my clients who may be looking for a healthier alternative or who can’t tolerate coffee or chocolate. Carob is originally from the eastern Mediterranean region, Northern Africa and the western part of Asia. Ceratonia siliqua or carob is also known as locust bean gum.
Consider trying carob if you are anxious and stressed. There are a subset of those with anxiety who are more prone to the anxiety-provoking effects of coffee and some very sensitive people may even find the caffeine in chocolate to be too stimulating.
In fact a 2002 study found that carob may actually have calming effects. It is also antioxidant rich, contains the polyphenol gallic acid which has been shown to help metabolic syndrome, it has been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol, it has chemoprotective properties and helps with digestion.
Here is a recipe for a delicious beverage you can make using carob powder:
Carob Cinnamon Delight al la Trudy
¾ cup of boiling water
1 Tablespoon carob powder
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Coconut milk (full-fat) or fresh raw cream (if you can tolerate dairy)
Boil the water, add carob and cinnamon and top up with coconut milk (or cream), stir and enjoy! The carob tends to settle a bit so you’ll probably need to stir it again when you’re half way through drinking it.
If you are going to give up coffee it’s good to have some alternative beverages on hand You could try delicious herbal teas (such as licorice, lemon-ginger, and mint), coffee substitutes such as Dandy Blend, rooibos or green rooibos (herbal teas from South Africa that appears to have health benefits similar to those of green tea), or one of my favorites – carob!
I’d love to get your feedback on how you enjoyed this and any variations you’ve tried.
Enjoy!
P.S. Check out my book The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood, and End Cravings for other calming tips.
Sue Painter says
December 27, 2011 at 12:47 pmI’m glad to know about this option as I’m not a coffee drinker away. Sounds delicious.
everywomanover29 says
December 28, 2011 at 11:13 amSue
Please let me know what you think of it….
Terry Monaghan says
December 28, 2011 at 5:57 amTrudy,
As you know (since you don’t want me drinking coffee) – I tried this recipe and it is DELICIOUS! I have a new morning drink… And one I can also have late in the day with no negative impact.
Thanks so much!
Terry
everywomanover29 says
December 28, 2011 at 11:12 amTerry
I’m SO glad you are enjoying this! the cinnamon is also great for blood sugar control and coconut has antimicrobial properties so you get even more benefits other than just quitting the coffee
Trudy
Jerri Jones says
January 20, 2016 at 6:57 amThank you for the info about the cinnamon and coconut. I love to cook and it is such a positive affirmation when you comment that the ingredients are nutritious and why. It makes me happy that I learn from you.
Jennifer Bourn says
December 28, 2011 at 1:00 pmTrudy – I just printed this and will be trying it out! I used to LOVE hot chocolate, but all the “mixes” have milk powder in them or are made with milk. I’ve since switched to tea – but this sounds like such a yummy alternative – thanks!!
Jennifer Bourn, Bourn Creative
everywomanover29 says
December 30, 2011 at 12:59 pmJennifer
If you LOVED hot chocolate I know you’re going to LOVE this! And since the coconut milk is dairy-free you get to use something to make it nice and creamy too. Enjoy!
Trudy
cristina says
December 30, 2011 at 12:45 pmThanks Trudy! I will try this. I just started experimenting with coffee alternatives. This morning I made myself a “Tulsi-Latte” with a little bit of honey. It was so good!!
everywomanover29 says
December 30, 2011 at 12:56 pmCristina
Carob is a great alternative but Tulsi is great too – because it’s caffeine-free and really great for stress-relief
Trudy
Steve says
January 19, 2016 at 2:32 pmTulsi Basil? Great, I have some of that growing in the garden. Great flavor!
Katherine C. H. E. says
December 30, 2011 at 6:35 pmCarob is so yummy. Glad to try this new recipe. THANKS! Katherine
Lisa Manyon says
December 31, 2011 at 8:14 amTrudy,
I used to love carob when I was a kid. I’m adding carob powder to my my shopping list and I’ll give this a try.
Write on!~
Lisa
Mitch Tublin says
December 31, 2011 at 8:13 pmTrudy,
This sounds great. I will share this with my family.
Mitch
Debbie McNeill, Creative Crafting Coach says
January 1, 2012 at 1:47 pmTrudy, this looks like a yummy recipe that is actually good for you. I used to enjoy hot chocolate mixes but there’s too much sugar and who knows what added to the commercial recipes. I like how you always offer up some great alternate products. I’ve not heard of Carob Powder before. Is it available in the regular grocery stores? Thx, Debbie
everywomanover29 says
January 1, 2012 at 6:23 pmDebbie
Yes, you can find carob in the natural foods section of regular grocery stores – enjoy!
Trudy
Stephen says
October 26, 2014 at 8:56 pmMany thanks for this recipe, the added cinnamon tastes like a treat, I added >1tsp raw honey to mine. I’m drinking it right now as an afternoon hot drink, even though it is over 35degrees Celsius on this hot spring day.
everywomanover29 says
October 27, 2014 at 10:33 pmGlad to hear this Stephen
Laura says
November 25, 2014 at 9:51 amThanks Trudy! I got this idea from listening to you on the Summit. I used carob in some steamed raw cow’s milk, with a splash of vanilla and nutmeg. I’ve never been a coffee-drinker, but I had to cut out all sugar and cacao recently, so this drink is so tasty to me!
Trudy Scott says
November 25, 2014 at 3:22 pmWonderful Laura! yummm!
Michele Christensen says
February 25, 2015 at 6:13 pmOh my gosh that sounds so good, especially with the coconut milk! That would be a treat like hot cocoa. Mmmmm.
Alexandra says
August 19, 2015 at 3:23 pmHi Trudy any specific brand that you recommend for the carob powder? There seams to be roasted and raw
Thank you
Trudy Scott says
August 19, 2015 at 6:35 pmI like Chatfields carob
Kohava Benatar says
November 14, 2015 at 6:26 pmThank you Trudy.
I am not a coffee drinker but it sounds good I’ll try it.
I started reading you book I recently purchased and using the Amino acid for anxiety and Herpes.
Trudy Scott says
November 17, 2015 at 4:42 pmKohava
It is great – enjoy! Glad to hear you are trying the aminos too
Liliana Tavo says
November 17, 2015 at 12:19 pmWhere do you buy Carob?
Trudy Scott says
November 17, 2015 at 4:33 pmLiliana
In the grocery store in the section with tea and coffee, and sometimes in the baking section with cocoa. Health stores also have it and you can get it online too
Liliana Tavo says
November 18, 2015 at 2:05 pmThank you so much! I love reading your blog! thank you !
Steve says
January 19, 2016 at 2:34 pmInstead of using water, I boiled coconut water and added coconut milk as well. Very creamy 🙂
John says
June 7, 2016 at 6:17 pmThanks for this helpful information. I read that matcha tea commonly has a much higher lead content than regular green tea and a recommendation is only one cup a day for adults. Know anything about this?
Thanks
Trudy Scott says
June 7, 2016 at 6:21 pmJohn
It’s not something I drink or recommend to clients but just the other day someone asked me this on facebook and Magdalena was going to ask her supplier about this. I’ll see if she can come and give us any feedback
nadia says
April 10, 2017 at 2:26 pmThanks for the recipe. It was delicious <3