The carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua,
(English St John’s Bread or Locust Tree), is
an evergreen tree that reaches heights of
approximately 8-12 meters at maturity and
bears brown pods that are rich in proteins
and sugars. A native to the eastern
Mediterranean and one of the first
domesticated trees in the world, the carob
tree has been grown in the region since
antiquity. The carob tree itself tolerates
aridity and is well suited to the marginal
terrain and prevailing calcareous soil. The
fruit of the tree, known commonly as the
carob pod or locust bean, is highly
versatile. The sugary pulp is traditionally
used to produce carob molasses while the
industrial use of the seeds in producing
carob gum, and the remaining bulk used as
forage for livestock.
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