Carob (Ceratonia Siliqua)

The carob tree is an extremely resistant to heat and drought, but very sensitive to frost. Currently its fruits are used as pet food or animal feed but once saved many people from starvation. A mature tree can produce up to 100 kg of fruits. The fruit pods are chocolate colour and taste also somewhat reminiscent of this sweet and also coconut. The seeds were very important for their weight and the carat formerly was used as the unit of measurement for the weight of precious stones. Seed = A carat approx. 0.2 gr. In the Mediterranean gardens carob it is an ideal place to seek shade.