Official name: Carob
Latin name: Ceratonia siliqua L.
Description: The Carob is evergreen bean tree or shrub, located in the Mediterranean region and Bulgaria. The plant prefers warm, temperate or subtropical climate and is drought resistant.
The Carob trees are small up to medium tall with thick dark green crown and can reach a height of up to 15 meters. Their leaves are feathers and consist of many leaflets arranged along a central stem. The plant produces small, almost invisible flowers which are usually shades of white and pale green.
The Carob distinguishes by its edible pods, which can grow up to 30 centimeters in length and are usually brown or reddish brown colour. Every pod contains sweet edible pulp and seeds. The tree begins to bear fruit(The Carob pods) after the sixth year. As the age of the tree increases the yield from it increases, as it can reach up to 100-120 kg. The Carob tree can bear fruit for up to 100 years.
Usable part of the herb: pod, seed/fruit
Time of collecting: The Carob ripe pods are picked late summer to early fall.
Chemical composition/Content and properties: The Carob seeds contain vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, calcium, magnesium, potassium and the trace elements iron, honey, nickel, manganese, chrome, sugars and oth. The Carob fruit is rich of inositol, which affects positively to people with insulin resistance and polycystic ovaries. The Carob has therapeutic effect to diarrhea and helps with nausea, vomiting and stomach upset.
Medical action and application: The pods are a good source of dietary fibers, which are beneficial for gut health, help to maintain healthy weight, because they create a feeling of satiety. The Carob seeds contain antioxidants, which help to protect the cells of the body from damage, caused by free radicals and this way they reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Grinding of the Carob to powder/flour is naturally a sweet product, which can be used as a healthy alternative to processed sugars. It has a lower glycemic index compared to refined sugars and helps the regulation of blood sugar levels.
Nowadays the Carob is used in cosmetics, for processing tobacco and paper production. The Carob powder or Carob pieces are used as a cocoa substitute in confectionery and cooking. Because of its nutritional composition the Carob pods are used as food for animals.
Opportunities to offer the client:
“Vesselino” LTD offers its customers the herb in the following varieties:
- Pods, seeds/fruit – whole, ground into powder/flour
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