Discover the Wonders of Carob with Cape Crystal Brands

Nestled in the heart of Summit, New Jersey, Cape Crystal Brands is your local source for high-quality food ingredients and unique kitchen tools. With a specialization in gums, stabilizers, emulsifiers, gellifiers, acidifiers, and more, we cater to cooks, chefs, and food producers seeking the finest products for their culinary creations. Today, we spotlight one of our standout offerings: carob.

What is Carob?

Carob, derived from the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua), is a versatile and natural ingredient used primarily as a gum, known as locust bean gum or carob gum. This remarkable product is widely appreciated for its gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties, making it an essential component in various food products.

Carob trees thrive in Mediterranean climates, producing pods that are harvested for their seeds. These seeds are then processed to extract locust bean gum, which is used in a multitude of culinary applications. Carob gum is especially valued in the food industry for its ability to improve the texture, consistency, and shelf-life of various products.

Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) from Cape Crystal Brands

Our Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum) is sourced with the highest standards of quality and purity. Whether you are a professional chef or a home cook, you'll find our carob gum perfect for:

• Dairy Products: Enhance the texture of ice creams, yogurts, and cheese. Locust bean gum helps prevent ice crystal formation in frozen desserts, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture. In yogurts and cheeses, it acts as a stabilizer, maintaining consistency and preventing separation.

• Bakery Goods: Improve the moisture and shelf life of baked items. Carob gum acts as a moisture retention agent in bread and pastries, keeping them soft and fresh for longer periods.

• Sauces and Dressings: Achieve the desired thickness and consistency. Carob gum is an excellent thickener for salad dressings, gravies, and sauces, providing a smooth, viscous texture that enhances mouthfeel.

• Gluten-Free Recipes: A great alternative for gluten-free cooking. For those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, locust bean gum can replace gluten to provide the necessary structure and elasticity in baked goods.

Cape Crystal Brands ensures that our locust bean gum is free from impurities and meets stringent quality standards, making it a reliable choice for various culinary applications.

Why Choose Cape Crystal Brands?

Cape Crystal Brands is dedicated to providing exceptional products and customer service. Located at 18 Bank St, Summit, NJ 07901, we are conveniently situated to serve the local community. Our mission is to supply the finest ingredients that enable culinary innovation and excellence.

Our extensive product range is meticulously curated to meet the diverse needs of our clientele, from home cooks to professional chefs. Each product undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure it meets our high standards. Our team is passionate about food and committed to helping you create extraordinary culinary experiences.

We offer personalized service, expert advice, and support to ensure you find the right ingredients for your specific needs. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to answer questions and provide guidance on product usage and applications.

Related Products on Cape Crystal Brands

In addition to carob gum, we offer a variety of other high-quality ingredients that can elevate your culinary creations:

1. Agar Agar: A vegetarian gelling agent derived from seaweed, ideal for making jellies, puddings, and custards. Agar agar is widely used in molecular gastronomy for its strong gelling properties and ability to create unique textures.

2. Calcium Chloride: Commonly used in molecular gastronomy for spherification, cheese making, and as a firming agent. Calcium chloride is essential for the spherification process, where it reacts with sodium alginate to form gel-like spheres with liquid centers.

3. Citric Acid: A natural preservative and flavor enhancer used in beverages, candies, and as a cleaning agent. Citric acid adds a tangy flavor to foods and is also effective in preventing the browning of fruits and vegetables.

4. Pectin Amidated Low Methoxyl: Ideal for making low-sugar jams and jellies with a perfect set. This type of pectin allows for the creation of spreads with reduced sugar content without compromising on texture.

5. Sodium Citrate: Used to control acidity and as an emulsifier for smooth cheese sauces and other applications. Sodium citrate is often used in processed cheese to prevent separation and improve meltability.

6. Xanthan Gum: A powerful thickening agent and stabilizer for salad dressings, sauces, and gluten-free baking. Xanthan gum is known for its ability to provide viscosity and stability to a wide range of products.

Foods from Our Products

Let's explore some delicious recipes and food applications that showcase the versatility of our products:

1. Vegan Fruit Jelly with Agar Agar

• Ingredients: Fruit juice, agar agar powder, sugar (optional).
• Process:
  1. Bring fruit juice to a boil.
  2. Add agar agar powder and stir until fully dissolved.
  3. Pour the mixture into molds and let it set at room temperature.
  4. Once set, refrigerate for a firm texture.
  5. Enjoy a refreshing, vegan-friendly jelly.

2. Spherified Raspberry Juice with Calcium Chloride

• Ingredients: Raspberry juice, sodium alginate, calcium chloride.
• Process:
  1. Mix raspberry juice with sodium alginate.
  2. Drop the mixture into a calcium chloride solution using a syringe or pipette.
  3. Allow the spheres to form and solidify.
  4. Rinse the spheres with water to remove excess calcium chloride.
  5. Serve as a unique garnish or dessert element.

3. Tangy Lemonade with Citric Acid

• Ingredients: Water, lemon juice, sugar, citric acid.
• Process:
  1. Mix water, lemon juice, and sugar until fully dissolved.
  2. Add citric acid to enhance the tangy flavor.
  3. Chill and serve over ice for a refreshing beverage.

4. Low-Sugar Strawberry Jam with Pectin Amidated Low Methoxyl

• Ingredients: Strawberries, sugar, pectin amidated low methoxyl, lemon juice.
• Process:
  1. Cook strawberries and sugar until the mixture thickens.
  2. Add pectin amidated low methoxyl and lemon juice.
  3. Continue cooking until the desired consistency is reached.
  4. Pour into sterilized jars and seal.
  5. Store in a cool, dry place or refrigerate.

5. Creamy Cheese Sauce with Sodium Citrate

• Ingredients: Cheddar cheese, milk, sodium citrate.
• Process:
  1. Heat milk and add sodium citrate.
  2. Gradually add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously.
  3. Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
  4. Serve over pasta, vegetables, or nachos.
     

6. Gluten-Free Pancakes with Xanthan Gum

• Ingredients: Gluten-free flour, baking powder, milk, eggs, xanthan gum.
• Process:
  1. Mix gluten-free flour, baking powder, and xanthan gum.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk and eggs.
  3. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until smooth.
  4. Pour batter onto a hot griddle and cook until bubbles form on the surface.
  5. Flip and cook until golden brown.
  6. Serve with your favorite toppings.

FAQs

What is locust bean gum used for?

Locust bean gum, also known as carob gum, is used as a thickening, gelling, and stabilizing agent in various food products, including dairy products, bakery goods, sauces, dressings, and gluten-free recipes.

Is locust bean gum safe to consume?

Yes, locust bean gum is considered safe for consumption. It is a natural product derived from carob seeds and is widely used in the food industry.

How should I store locust bean gum?

Locust bean gum should be stored in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to maintain its quality and effectiveness.

Can I use locust bean gum in vegan recipes?

Absolutely! Locust bean gum is plant-based and suitable for vegan recipes. It is often used as a thickening agent in vegan ice creams, puddings, and other desserts.

What is the difference between agar agar and gelatin?

Agar agar is a vegetarian alternative to gelatin, derived from seaweed. It has stronger gelling properties and can set at room temperature, whereas gelatin is animal-based and requires refrigeration to set.

How does citric acid benefit food products?

Citric acid acts as a natural preservative, enhances flavor by adding tartness, and can prevent browning in fruits and vegetables.

What are the applications of calcium chloride in cooking?

Calcium chloride is used in cheese making to improve curd formation and in molecular gastronomy for spherification, creating gel-like spheres with liquid centers.

Why is pectin amidated low methoxyl preferred for low-sugar jams?

Pectin amidated low methoxyl can gel with lower sugar levels, making it ideal for low-sugar and diabetic-friendly jams and jellies.

What role does sodium citrate play in cheese sauces?

Sodium citrate acts as an emulsifier, preventing cheese from separating and ensuring a smooth, creamy texture in cheese sauces.

How does xanthan gum enhance gluten-free baking?

Xanthan gum provides structure and elasticity in gluten-free baked goods, mimicking the properties of gluten to create a better texture and consistency.

For more information about our products or to place an order, feel free to reach out to us:

• Phone: +1-908-273-5600
• Email: info@capecrystalbrands.com
  
• Visit Us: 18 Bank St, Summit, NJ 07901, United States

At Cape Crystal Brands, we are committed to bringing the best ingredients to your kitchen, ensuring your culinary creations are nothing short of extraordinary. Visit our website or drop by our store to explore our full range of products. We look forward to serving you!