> Chris Asselin posted:
>
>> - The pod of this plant, containing a sweet edible pulp and seeds that yield
>> a gum used as a stabilizer in food products. Also called algarroba.
>> - An edible powder or flour made from the ground seeds and pods of this
>> plant, often used as a substitute for chocolate.
>
> But is it edible raw? I have no doubt a sharp stick will open a pod.
>
> Don.

A simple tooth (teeth, I guess) is plenty to "open it".

I have eaten lots of carob raw. Mostly I got it whole (supposedly sun-dried)
from an Italian specialty store in Milwaukee, some simply off the ground in
tropical countries. The pod is what is eaten, you spit out the many
watermelon-sized seeds. It is known to instinctos as a constipater (read
antidote to cassia), but I never noticed that. It is sweet sweet sweet,
kinda like dates ala dried-out brownies.

As to what the stuff sold as raw powdered carob in HFS is, I haven't a clue.

Cheers,
Kirt