- *MSRP:
$6.99- Our Price:
- $6.30
- Buy: at $6.30
- UPC: 733739066695
- # N6669
NOW Foods Carob Powder (12 oz): Pure Dry Roasted Chocolate Substitute
If you love the warm, rich experience of chocolate but struggle with the jitters, acid reflux, late-night insomnia, or migraines that cocoa can trigger, NOW Real Food® Carob Powder offers a clean, wholesome, and naturally sweet solution. Harvested from the ripe pods of the Mediterranean carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), this single-ingredient powder is slowly dry-roasted to develop deep, nutty, malt-like flavor notes that satisfy your sweet tooth without caffeine, theobromine, or added sugars.
Unlike commercial cocoa powders that undergo chemical alkalization (Dutch processing) and carry naturally high levels of stimulants, NOW Foods Carob Powder delivers 100% pure roasted carob pulp with zero additives, zero preservatives, and zero fat. It is safe for children, soothing for sensitive digestive tracts, and completely non-toxic to household pets like dogs who cannot safely process the theobromine in chocolate.
At-a-Glance Comparison: Carob Powder vs. Cocoa Powder
| Nutritional Metric | NOW Real Food® Carob Powder | Standard Unsweetened Cocoa Powder |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine Content | 0 mg (100% Naturally Caffeine-Free) | 12 to 50 mg per serving |
| Theobromine Content | 0 mg (100% Theobromine-Free) | 200 to 800 mg (stimulant & canine toxin) |
| Total Dietary Fat | 0 g per serving (100% Fat-Free) | 1.5 g to 3.5 g (contains cocoa butter) |
| Dietary Fiber per 15g | 6 grams (21% Daily Value) | Approx. 4.5 grams |
| Natural Flavor Profile | Naturally sweet, toasty, mild, and malty | Bitter and astringent (demands added sweeteners) |
| Acid Reflux (GERD) Impact | Non-acidic, soothing to esophageal tissues | Relaxes lower esophageal sphincter (common trigger) |
| Household Pet Safety | 100% Safe for homemade dog treats | Dangerous / Toxic to dogs and cats |
Biochemical Mechanism of Action & Health Science
Carob is much more than a simple culinary cocoa alternative. Within human nutritional biochemistry, carob pod pulp acts through distinct physiological pathways that support healthy cardiovascular lipid profiles, optimize post-meal blood sugar balance, and soothe mucosal tissue throughout the gastrointestinal tract:
1. Insoluble Polyphenol-Bound Fiber and Healthy Cholesterol Clearance
Carob pods contain high concentrations of insoluble dietary fiber uniquely bonded to condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins). Unlike soluble tannins, these macromolecular complexes do not bind digestive enzymes or hinder protein absorption in the stomach. Instead, they pass into the small intestine where they bind directly to dietary fats and bile acids, carrying them out through normal fecal excretion. This obligates the liver to pull low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the bloodstream to synthesize replacement bile salts.
Clinical Evidence: In a randomized human trial led by Zunft et al. (Advances in Therapy, 2003; 20(2):102-109), participants consuming carob pulp preparations daily demonstrated an average 17.8% decrease in total cholesterol and a 22.5% decrease in LDL cholesterol within 6 weeks. A systematic review by Macho-González et al. (Lipids in Health and Disease, 2020; PMC9277349) confirmed that carob polyphenols actively accelerate lipid oxidation while supporting favorable LDL:HDL ratios.
2. D-Pinitol and Steady Glycemic Control
Carob pulp is nature's richest whole-food source of D-pinitol (3-O-methyl-D-chiro-inositol), an inositol isomer that functions as an insulin-sensitizing mediator. D-pinitol helps facilitate the translocation of GLUT4 glucose transporters to cell surfaces, allowing skeletal muscle to clear circulating glucose effectively without forcing the pancreas to oversecrete insulin. Combined with 6 grams of dietary fiber per serving, carob has a low estimated glycemic index (GI ~ 40), preventing the abrupt glucose spikes and crashes associated with refined chocolate treats.
Clinical Evidence: A double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial published in Clinical Nutrition (Gruendel et al., 2006; 35(3):600-607) showed that carob extract significantly attenuated postprandial glucose excursions and improved systemic insulin sensitivity, while an evaluation in the Journal of Functional Foods (PMC10345664) demonstrated its ability to modulate metabolic hormone signaling without causing reactive hypoglycemia.
3. Natural Mucosal Protection and Anti-Diarrheal Action
The combination of carob pectin and insoluble tannins forms a protective colloidal barrier across the stomach and intestinal mucosa. Pectin absorbs excess liquid in the lumen to firm loose stools, while carob tannins bind enterotoxins and calm hyper-motility. Clinical trials in pediatric and adult gastroenterology (Vandenplas et al., Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2013; PMC10345664) have validated carob bean flour as an effective natural tool for reducing stool frequency and resolving acute non-bacterial diarrhea without systemic side effects.
4. Complete Absence of Central Nervous System Stimulants
Cocoa beans naturally synthesize methylxanthines—principally theobromine and caffeine. These compounds antagonize adenosine receptors, elevate heart rate, stimulate adrenal output, and relax the lower esophageal sphincter, making cocoa a frequent culprit behind gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), evening restlessness, and tension headaches. Carob contains zero detectable methylxanthines, zero tyramine, and zero phenylethylamine, making it hypoallergenic and non-triggering for migraine-sensitive individuals.
Complete Ingredients & Verified Supplement Facts
NOW Real Food® Carob Powder is an unadulterated, single-ingredient food product. What is stated on the label matches exactly what is inside the bag:
Ingredients: Carob Powder (Dry Roasted) [Ceratonia siliqua].
Product SKU / Item Code: 6669 (N6669)
UPC Code: 733739066695
Net Weight: 12 oz (340 g)
Dietary Classifications: Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Vegan, Certified Kosher (Triangle K), 100% Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Corn-Free, Fat-Free, Low Sodium.
Allergen Facility Disclosure: Packaged in a dedicated peanut-free facility that processes tree nuts.
Official Nutrition Facts Panel
| Serving Size: 1 1/2 Tbsp (15 g) | Servings Per Container: About 23 |
|---|---|
| Nutrient Component | Amount Per Serving & % Daily Value (% DV)* |
| Calories | 35 |
| Total Fat | 0 g (0% DV) |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g (0% DV) |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg (0% DV) |
| Sodium | 5 mg (<1% DV) |
| Total Carbohydrate | 13 g (5% DV) |
| Dietary Fiber | 6 g (21% DV) |
| Total Sugars | 7 g (Naturally Occurring) |
| Includes Added Sugars | 0 g (0% DV) |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Vitamin D | 0 mcg (0% DV) |
| Calcium | 52 mg (4% DV) |
| Iron | 0.4 mg (2% DV) |
| Potassium | 124 mg (2% DV) |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
NOW Foods Analytical Lab Testing & Strict Contaminant Standards
Because carob is an agricultural pod grown in mineral-rich Mediterranean soil, it can naturally absorb elemental minerals from the earth during cultivation. Many discount bulk brands repackage wholesale carob without running batch-specific lab assays. NOW Foods operates one of the most advanced quality-assurance testing programs in the entire natural products industry to guarantee complete consumer safety.
- ✓ ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited In-House Laboratories: NOW maintains state-of-the-art testing facilities staffed by more than 150 chemists, toxicologists, and microbiologists who perform over 19,000 to 31,000 analytical tests every single month across raw ingredients and finished goods.
- ✓ ICP-MS Heavy Metal Screening: Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), every single incoming lot of raw carob is screened down to parts-per-billion (ppb) sensitivity. This ensures strict compliance with stringent California Proposition 65 thresholds and federal cGMP safety guidelines for elemental lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury.
- ✓ Chromatographic Purity Verification (HPLC & GC-MS): High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) confirm raw botanical authenticity, ensuring the carob is 100% free from undeclared cocoa wastes, maltodextrin extenders, pesticide residues, and artificial flavor chemicals.
- ✓ Comprehensive Microbiological Safety Assays: Finished lots are screened using automated bio-detection systems to verify the complete absence of human pathogens including Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, while verifying total yeast, mold, and aerobic plate counts fall far below federal safety tolerances.
- ✓ Allergen Sanitation Controls: Processed in a dedicated peanut-free packaging environment with routine ATP bioluminescence swab monitoring and ELISA protein assays to prevent accidental cross-contact.
Culinary Usage, Baking Conversions & Practical Precautions
Swapping carob powder for cocoa in your home kitchen is simple, but because carob is naturally sweeter and has 0g fat compared to cocoa's natural cocoa butter content, following a few practical rules ensures delicious results:
The 3 Rules of Baking with Carob Powder
- The Measurement Ratio: Substitute 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of carob powder for every 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder called for in your recipe. Carob has a gentler, rounder flavor profile, so using slightly more ensures full-bodied flavor.
- Cut the Sugar: Because dry roasted carob contains natural fruit sugars (7g per serving), reduce the recipe's added sugar or sweetener by 25% to 30% to prevent the dessert from becoming overly sweet.
- Add a Touch of Fat: Cocoa powder naturally contains 10% to 22% cocoa butter fat, whereas NOW Carob Powder is 100% fat-free. When making moist baked goods like fudgy brownies or cakes, add 1/2 teaspoon of healthy fat (such as coconut oil, grass-fed butter, or avocado oil) for every tablespoon of carob powder used.
Simple Ways to Enjoy NOW Carob Powder Daily
- Evening Hot Carob Latte: Whisk 1 1/2 tbsp NOW Carob Powder into 1 cup of warmed oat, almond, or coconut milk with a pinch of cinnamon and 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract. Enjoy an indulgent, rich hot cocoa alternative right before bed with zero caffeine to disrupt your sleep.
- Stimulant-Free Post-Workout Shakes: Blend 1 1/2 tbsp carob powder into your daily protein shake with banana and unsweetened milk for an extra 6g of restorative dietary fiber and 124mg of natural potassium.
- Safe Dog-Friendly "Chocolate" Treats: Because carob is 100% theobromine-free, you can safely bake dog biscuits by blending carob powder with rolled oats, pumpkin puree, and natural unsweetened peanut butter.
Practical Precautions & Dietary Notes
- Dietary Fiber Transition: With 6g of fiber per 15g serving (21% DV), individuals accustomed to low-fiber diets should start with 1 tablespoon daily and drink adequate water to allow intestinal microflora to adapt comfortably.
- Carbohydrate Management for Diabetics: Each serving provides 13g total carbohydrates, balanced by 6g of fiber (7g net carbohydrates). While its glycemic index is low, those tracking strict ketogenic limits or insulin dosing should account for the naturally occurring carbohydrates.
- Legume Sensitivity: Carob belongs to the botanical family Fabaceae (legumes). While true carob allergies are rare, individuals with documented severe anaphylactic allergies to legumes (such as tamarind or guar gum) should exercise prudent caution.
Why Buy NOW Carob Powder from VitaNet®
When you purchase dietary supplements and specialty health foods online, who you buy from matters just as much as what you buy. VitaNet®, LLC is an independent, family-owned discount vitamin and herb retailer providing premium natural health products online since 1995[cite: 1].
- ✓ Over 31 Years of Industry Experience: Based in Hartville, Ohio, our business brings more than three decades of hands-on knowledge in human nutritional biochemistry and natural product curation to our customers[cite: 1].
- ✓ Climate-Controlled Facility Storage: Unlike faceless third-party marketplace sellers who store botanical powders in non-air-conditioned, high-heat shipping containers that degrade natural antioxidants and accelerate staling, our inventory is kept in clean, temperature-regulated facilities to ensure factory freshness.
- ✓ Everyday Discount Value: We curate an extensive catalog of over 16,000 brand-name vitamins, herbs, and supplements at volume discount pricing[cite: 1].
- ✓ Unconditional 100% Money-Back Guarantee: We offer a 100% money-back guarantee on all products, and we even pay return shipping costs on opened items to ensure complete, risk-free peace of mind[cite: 1].
- ✓ BBB A+ Accredited Business: We take pride in real human customer service, responsive phone support, and honest, transparent business practices[cite: 1].
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What makes carob powder different from traditional cocoa powder?
While cocoa powder comes from fermented cacao seeds and contains the stimulants caffeine and theobromine, carob powder is milled from the roasted fruit pods of the Ceratonia siliqua tree. Carob is naturally 100% free of caffeine and theobromine, contains 0g of fat per serving, is non-acidic, and has a natural, mild sweetness that requires far less added sugar in recipes compared to bitter cocoa.
Is NOW Foods Carob Powder safe for dogs to eat?
Yes. Traditional chocolate is toxic and life-threatening to dogs because canines cannot metabolize theobromine, leading to cardiac arrhythmias and central nervous system distress. Because NOW Foods Carob Powder contains zero theobromine and zero caffeine, it is completely non-toxic and widely used by pet owners and gourmet canine bakeries to make safe dog treats.