Mesquite

The Stabilizer

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The mesquite tree is found in the Middle East, India, South Africa, South America (especially Peru, Argentina, Brazil), Mexico, and the American Southwest. It is in the family of Leguminosae and is native to deserts, so it is heat and drought tolerant. Traditional uses included woodworking and mesquite charcoal. It has deep roots like alfalfa, which can go down as far as 100 feet to gather rich nutrients. The mesquite tree produces naturally sweet, molasses-tasting bean pods which are milled whole to make a ground meal.

Mesquite is also another traditional food, newly discovered, like quinoa and amaranth. It provides wonderful benefits, including adding flavor and aroma to many dishes. As with Capomo in Mexico, cacao worldwide, and many sustainable trees that provide fruit, nuts, and seeds, mesquite is known for its continuous yields that provide both nutrition and a sustainable livelihood. Mesquite stabilizes the land (arroyos, banks, hills) as well as the body.

Mesquite action is cold and dry. Its resin, however, is more warming and tonifying. It is an antifungal, antimicrobial, and antispasmodic. It helps stop excessive bleeding and reduces fevers. It is used in first aid as a paste for stings, scrapes, cuts, and insect bites. Mesquite contains approximately 1/3 soluble fiber and is a slow acting carbohydrate. It, therefore, helps balance and control blood sugar by its slower, steady rate of absorption into the bloodstream. Diabetes is a decline in glucose tolerance. Mesquite is an antidiabetic natural sweetener (often made into a porridge) which, because it contains fructose, provides effective use of insulin metabolism. Its glycemic index is 25. Its fat content is at 3-1/2%.

Many of the Southwest native peoples who have abandoned mesquite and other traditional foods for a modern diet have had to contend with obesity and diabetes. When returning to a traditional diet, these problems are greatly controlled. Historically, the Southwest desert tradition which used lima beans, chia seeds, prickly pear pods, squash, red and white corn, Anasazi beans, amaranth and Pinole (toasted ground cornmeal), all that complement mesquite meal, have provided health and survival benefits and future security to arid lands.

Like dehulled hemp seeds, mesquite is mineral-rich, providing in particular calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, sulfur, manganese, and other valuable trace minerals. Mesquite is on average 14–16% protein. Its high lysine content provides a perfect balance to the high arginine of cacao. Mesquite is a grounding, balancing, and nutritive contribution to the body.

Though being such a drought resistant tree, mesquite does seek water. Thus, tightly seal the bag of mesquite meal as it can be hygroscopic (picking up moisture from the air). We return to the desert and its most primal essence...the mesquite tree.

Mesquite and Carob

Carob is also in the Leguminosae family and has the name of locust bean. It has a 5% protein and a 7% fiber content and is rich in minerals and B vitamins. The powdery meal of carob has a pleasant, rich flavor resembling chocolate, so is often used as a chocolate substitute in many food products.

Both Mesquite and carob form pods that are a galactomannan-type polysaccharide. They are hammer-milled ground whole to produce a meal. Good as stabilizers, they have thickening and emulsifying properties. They have a higher lysine to arginine ratio which is important in proper amino acid balance for the body.

Both Mesquite and carob are used in the paper and print industry, in textiles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, detergents, paints, and inks. They slow the melting rate of ice cream and are found in other dairy products such as soft cheeses. They are also used in bakery goods, pie fillings, desserts, and sauces. They provide an excellent nutritional and flavorful balance to live food desserts using cacao nibs.