I digress. In my search for coffee substitutes, I read that carob powder would work. I also read carob powder is better as a hot chocolate substitute, well cocoa powder substitute. Chocolate has caffeine so that was off my list.
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I quickly went to a health food store and purchased a can. On the can was a recipe for a carob latte. It basically stated add two teaspoons to a cup of hot milk.
I microwaved the milk. Then I added two heaping teaspoons of carob powder. Many people say that the carob bean is naturally sweet. They say it's not bitter like chocolate. They were wrong. I added sugar.
Once I did that, the drink was enjoyable. Well, until I had drunk two-thirds of the drink. Then it became bitter and chalky and grainy.
I thought maybe it wasn't mixed well so I added a few more ounces of milk and microwaved it again. This brought me to a half-cup. After drinking a third, the chalky and grainy taste was back. I gave up.
The instructions did not mention heaping teaspoons so that is where I failed. But they did not mention that it would be better to use a pot not a microwave. You should also use a whisk and not a spoon.
I need something a tad easier. For me, milk is expensive. We buy the lactose-free kind. While hot chocolate made with milk is great, the steps to get that are for a special occasion. The same with a carob latte.
I will try it again with less carob powder. I've seen several recipes that use water and milk. I might try those, too. Carob powder does work as a hot chocolate substitute. I believe it can also work as a coffee substitute. I had more energy, but it wasn't like chicory or coffee, and isn't that what we're after?
Do you have any great carob powder recipes to share with me?
