The Cretan Dakos recipe in our book “Foods of Crete: Traditional Recipes from the Healthiest People in the World” saves both time and your teeth by baking the Dakos for a much shorter time at a higher heat. Creta Carob was established in 2006 and started its operations in 2011. It is a family company that main focus is the production of different biological products from the Carob Pods. Creta Carob is located in Crete Island in a little village called Argyroupoli. During our production process we combine ancient procedures with new technologies. Our final products correspond to the regulations of the E.U. and received the bio qualification in Greece and in the E.U. from DIO. Specifically, research has shown several interesting aspects regarding the antioxidant activity of carobs, which we will present below. The total polyphenol content in CPP determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method was 19.2%. The content of condensed tannin determined by vanillin and proanthocyanidin analysis systems was 4.37% and 1.36%, respectively. Dakos rusks, either big or small ones, are bread made with barley, which are shaped round, sort of like a bun, and then baked.

The double-baked bread of antiquity continued to be quite popular in the Byzantine Empire, to judge by its later descendants: the Venetian pasimata, the Croatian peksimet, the Romanian pesmet, the Turkish beksemad and the Arabic bashmet or baqsimat. Many, including Georgios Babiniotis, a Greek linguist and philologist, believe that the word “paximadi” actually comes from Paxamos, a first-century AD Greek baker and cook. He allegedly fine-tuned the way rusks were made, forever connecting his name to double-baked bread rusks. These days, it’s a little more difficult to embarrass me (even in a foreign country) and I can say that I have mastered eating Cretan Dakos. Optimization of roasting conditions as an useful approach for increasing antioxidant activity of carob powderNaturally, one might wonder, “What are free radicals?” and “What are antioxidants?” Soon you will understand how useful the carob of Crete with its precious properties can be for you. Carob contains an abundance of fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Fiber promotes digestive health and helps regulate glucose and cholesterol. In addition, carob offers natural sweetness, replacing sugar in various applications, which makes it an ideal choice for those looking for a healthy diet. The glycemic index of carob is very low. It does not contain caffeine and is perfectly suitable for individuals with diabetes. In general, it has positive effects on blood glucose levels and is used in the management of diabetes and obesity. The fruit of the carob tree also contains polyphenols, antioxidant compounds that aid in cancer prevention and the management of hyperlipidemia. Wherever you go they will offer you tsikoudia also calledraki or what is called tsipouro in other parts of Greece, Zivania in Cyprus or grappa in Italy. LG Raisz “Osteoporosis: current approaches and future prospects in diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management”

Carob, also known as "carob tree" or "Ceratonia siliqua", is a plant with deep roots in human history and nutrition. It is emerging as a superfood due to its rich nutritional value and health benefits. The preferred flour for Cretan paximadia is barley, which is much darker in color than wheat flour, thus making the dark, heavy and hard Cretan rusks quite an adventure for the uninitiated. The secret to consuming paximadia with safety is to soften them by briefly dipping them in water. Alternatively, you can pour some olive oil on it, add grated tomato, plenty of mizythra (a typical Cretan cheese made of sheep’s and goat’s milk) and a pinch of oregano on top to have the dish which comes in different names in the various regions of Crete, but is commonly known as dakos.

How does carob taste?

Carob contains calcium, but not oxalic acid. Oxalic acid tends to reduce the body’s ability to absorb calcium and zinc and is found in cocoa and chocolate. A diet high in oxalates also increases the risk of developing kidney stones. Carob powder does not contain oxalates. On the contrary, carob has a much lower caloric value than chocolate (it has 60% fewer calories) and is therefore considered its perfect substitute. In fact, precisely because of its high content of calcium and phosphorus, it is considered to contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis. If only such a lofty comparison wasn’t sold to boost its profile, it might have had a fighting chance as its own uniquely flavorful and distinctive ingredient. What is carob and where did it come from?

Effects of extraction conditions on the recovery of phenolic compounds and in vitro antioxidant activity of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pulp

Ingredients

A mixture of feta and myzithra or anthotyros (whey cheeses similar to ricotta) will also work well. Carob is naturally sweet, with a subtly toasted, nutty flavor and hints of cereal and grain. If you’re expecting chocolate, you’ll be disappointed, but taste with an open mind (and palate) to enjoy a whole different flavor experience. How to buy and store carob During certain processes, our body produces free radicals that can threaten our health. Of course, our organism is equipped with the appropriate mechanisms to counteract free radicals, but a diet rich in antioxidants can enhance the body’s defense process and ensure our health. As for their cheeses, most of them are unique and not made in other parts of Greece, staka, malaka, xynomyzithra, myzithra, graviera, kefalograviera, the list is endless. Rethymno lighthouse