Augustus 2022
De Wildt Nuus
19
Plants of the Bible in our everyday life Sandy Roberts
The Carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua-also known as Saint John’s bread or The tree of locusts The Carob is revered as the tree of which John the Baptist survived in the wilderness and from that time onward it has been regarded as a holy tree. It was said that when shaking the Carob pods it sounded like a locust and the confusion in the translation of the Bible was that locusts could be eaten, except it is known that John the Baptist ate the sweet pods from the tree as they were nutritious and energy giving, from this it has endeared itself to many over the years for its sweet, chocolate-flavoured pods and as a healthy sugar-free alternative to chocolate. As there are many growing in the North West province and Gauteng, you will recognise the tree from a distance for its evergreen, even-rounded shape. The Carob tree grows well in hot climates and is a hardy, dark green tree extending its branches up to 15 meters in height. It grows easily in South Africa on roadsides and in gardens but is said to be native to the Mediterranean area. The long fronds of creamy blossoms are delectable to bees. The male and female trees are separate and their green pods ripen to chocolate brown in late summer and drop from the tree. This is when the pods are sweetest and fully ripe to eat. Separate the inedible seeds to one side so that the fleshy sweet firm pulp within the pod can be ground into powder. This will make a delicious chocolate-flavoured flour used in baking and energy-boosting, sugar-free milkshakes. Containing its own natural sugars and healthy nutrients, specifically Vit A, B complex, Phosphorus, Iron, Copper and Magnesium is close to a super food as it is high in Protein. One can easily buy Carob powder to make Carob and seed health bars, fudge and cakes as it is a natural cocoa substitute. It has less fat, no caffeine and no oxalic acid compared with cocoa beans making it the ideal chocolate substitute. Carob powder is sweet and can also replace sugar in recipes. Choose a favourite cake or biscuit recipe and substitute Carob powder for the cocoa and taste the difference. An excellent recipe for making a nutritious milkshake: Add 1 heaped teaspoon of carob powder to a cup 2 tablespoons of boiling water, stir well until dissolved Top up with milk and crushed ice, stir well and taste the deliciousness! (add a little honey if necessary) Replace the milk with almond or organic soya milk if you are lactose intolerant. Medicinally, the Carob has high pectin, easing digestive ailments, bloating, cramps and flatulence and can be taken for those with high blood pressure, and ADHD. WARNING: Always check in with your doctor before treating yourself naturally WITH ANY PLANT. If you are unsure of a plant do not take it internally. From the time of the bible, the diverseness of the Carob is fascinating. The seed pods can also be used as nutritious cattle fodder and recently the seeds have been used cosmetically, aesthetically and in clothing manufacture. In South Africa, the 1820 diamond settlers separated the little seeds from the pods to use as measurement for the weight of diamonds as each seed miraculously weighs exactly 1 carat (200mg). These little seeds were used in the diamond scales and each settler had a pouch of seeds they carried with them. And this is why the Cullinan diamond mine is surrounded by these most useful Carob trees still growing there today. The carob, a tree most valuable in all it offers from the Bible up until today!
