Carob and Cocoa Powder...What's the Difference?

[Shan]

So I tried Carob powder in a recipe yesterday. It was ok... didn't taste as much like chocolate as I would have hoped. Anyone know the difference between Carob powder and Cocoa (I've seen some people spell it 'Cacao') powder? Do they taste similar/different or what?

[Spectatrix]

Carob powder is from a different plant (the carob tree) and just happens to taste similar to cocoa (from the cacao tree). Carob is often used instead of cocoa because it's naturally caffeine-free.

[Sheryl]

Personally I would say they look similar, but have no real comparison taste wise (as a chocolate lover anyhow). People like to dream they taste the same, and I think visually they can trigger the same memories. It ends there though!

Cheers,
Sheryl

[Dimond]

Carob can often taste like chocolate in certain recipes. Like when I make ice cream with frozen bananas & agave, the carob ends up fudgy just like chocolate and I can't tell the difference. But in other recipes you may detect a difference.