Carob: From Measuring Gemstones to Soil Fertility
Roasted carob is one of Cauxffee's base ingredients, and while that's mostly for the specific flavor it adds, it's got some bragging rights of its own.
In fact, the “carat” (used to measure gemstones) comes from the Greek word for carob, kerátion, because carob seeds were used as a standard of weight due to their relatively uniform size.
Carob may be best-known as a lame chocolate replacement (we're sure glad that trend is over), but it's actually been cultivated since ancient times, with references going back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was valued both as food and medicine.
🌿 Carob's Legacy
Carob (ceratonia siliqua) is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, and today it grows in Mediterranean climates worldwide. In fact, we planted some on our friends' Manadina Farm in Hawaii this year (video below)!
Both Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, and Dioscorides, in his medical text De Materia Medica, described carob as a remedy for digestive issues and for soothing the throat.
It’s been used in folk medicine to treat coughs, diarrhea, heartburn, and intestinal issues thanks to its high tannins and mucilage.
😋 Digestive Health Support
Carob is rich in insoluble fiber, which promotes regular digestion and helps sweep waste through the intestines.
It contains tannins and mucilage, compounds that can soothe inflammation and reduce diarrhea.
Carob is commonly used in natural remedies for acid reflux and IBS.
❤️ Good for Your Heart
Thanks to its fiber and antioxidant polyphenols, carob may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels.
It's rich in polyphenols, heart-protective compounds that combat oxidative stress and inflammation, two key drivers of cardiovascular disease.
This also means it may support healthy blood pressure levels.
⚖️ Helps Balance Blood Sugar
It is naturally sweet, but has a low glycemic index and contains fiber and pectin that slow glucose absorption — making it a smart choice for people managing blood sugar or insulin sensitivity.
This is a big part of what makes Cauxffee less astringent than coffee, so even those who don't love black coffee often don't feel the need to add any sweetener to Cauxffee.
🦴 Packed with Nutrients
Carob also contains a surprising range of essential minerals, including:
- Calcium (even more than cocoa!)
- Potassium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Selenium
- Plus small amounts of vitamin A and B vitamins
Together, these nutrients support everything from bone health to immune function.
☕ Not your 90's carob
Carob is an essential component of Cauxffee's rich and complex flavor (and health) profile.
It's nutrient-rich and naturally sweet, which is what makes Cauxffee taste better than black coffee, as well as lend itself better to alternative milks and sweeteners since they have less work to do.
And if that wasn't enough, carob trees are being promoted in climate-resilient agriculture, as they are drought-tolerant, low maintenance, and improve soil fertility through nitrogen-fixing relationships.
Our goal is to bring 100% of Cauxffee sourcing and production to the US, and to support regenerative, family-owned farms and our local communities... and to build soil fertility.
This year, we had the honor of planting carob trees on our friends' regenerative farm in Hawaii, Manadina Farm! Check out the video below.
