Carob tree for your health

Another tree for decoration of your garden and also good for your health. But this need a climate like mediterranean countries.

The carob tree , Ceratonia siliqua, is a species of flowering evergreen shrub or tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the Mediterranean region. It is cultivated for its edible seed pods. Carobs are also known as St. John's bread because, according to tradition of some Christians, St. John the Baptist subsisted on them in the wilderness. A similar legend exists of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his son.

Carob, dried or roasted and having a slightly sweet taste, in powder or chip form, is used as an ingredient in cakes and cookies. Carob is sometimes used as a substitute for chocolate. The seeds, also known as locust beans, are used as animal feed. They are also the source of locust bean gum, a thickening agent used in numerous processed foods. In Egypt, carobs are consumed as a snack. Crushed pods are used to make a refreshing drink. Compotes and liqueurs are made from carob in Turkey, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Sicily. Carob has proven effective in relieving diarrhea in infants. In Libya, a syrup is extracted from carob named rub used as a complimentary to Asida meal. In Peru carob syrup is used in a popular mixed drink, la algarrobina.

Carob has also been used as a non-toxic alternative to chocolate in dog treats, as the theobromine in chocolate is toxic to most dogs.

• No cholestherol
• no cafein
• plenty of Ca, about 3 times higher than milk
• high zinc

It is said that it has alot more advantages for health. But please check all the information here (actually you should check all the information you get from internet before using it).

I liked the tree and the fruits of it also the food made of it. I took the photos of the fruits on the tree. It is a nice evergreen tree for landscaping. You can also collect the fruit of it.

But the fruit does not look nice like an apple. ... :)

Here is a nice big carob tree at the seaside