Carob Juice is one of Egypt’s most popular drinks, not only during its scorching summer time but all time round. It is packed with health benefits and super refreshing. Homemade carob juice couldn’t be easier to make!
The unmerciful heat wave in Washington DC, makes me beg for the Egyptian refreshing summer drinks, which I grew up enjoying. Carob was one of those hydrating cold drinks that quenched my thirst and left me so rejuvenated, and never guilty about the amount of sugar that comes with it, knowing carob’s multiple health benefits!
What is Carob?
Carob pods grow on native Mediterranean carob trees. What you see in the photos are the carob pods. Carob trees are also known as Locust bean, or St. John’s bread. It grows in the Mediterranean region or in a similar climate.
In Egypt, carob is usually found in three forms: 1-Whole pods, 2-crushed pods to eat as a snack, 3-powder to dilute in water. Some levantine countries make Carob Molasses that are used in drinks and desserts.
While in the west, according to The Pruce Eats, carob is toasted and pulverized and used as a caffein-free substitute for chocolate in baking.
It is widely recommended to consume carob as it is:
- A powerful anti-oxidant
- Caffein free
- High in fiber
- Helps relieve diarrhea
- Gluten free
You can read in detail about the health benefits of carob at Healthline.com
In addition to its refreshing taste and aroma, carob is known as a healthful substitute for chocolate. It has twice the amount of calcium as cocoa; it is free of a migraine-triggering compound, and it is caffein- and fat-free. It is ubiquitous in Middle Eastern markets and sold as whole pods, chips, molasses, or powder. You might find kids turn into big fans of this exotic drink!
How to prepare the Carob Drink
Carob crushed pods are tough, so let them soak overnight to soften. Discard the water on the second day.
Make the base of the drink which is a caramelized carob. Add granulated white sugar to the carob and let them caramelize together, swirl the pan to avoid burning the sugar. Add cold water and let it sit for a few hours in the fridge. Strain it using a fine mesh sieve and serve with cubes of ice.
Check Out More Summer Egyptian Drinks
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Egyptian Carob Cold Drink
8-10 servings
INGREDIENTS
-
- 2 cups carob powder, or whole pods crushed with a mortar and pestle
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- Water
DIRECTIONS
- Soak the carob chips overnight to soften. Discard the water on the second day.
- In a heavy bottom pan, over low heat, add the sugar to the carob and let them caramelize together. Swirl the pan to avoid burning the sugar. Turn off the heat.
- Add cold water to the caramelized carob and let it sit for a few hours in the fridge.
- Strain it using a fine mesh sieve and serve with cubes of ice.
NERMINE’S NOTES
- Carob chips are available on Amazon, in Middle Eastern grocery stores, and probably in some health stores.