The carob tree (Ceratonia Siliqua L), belongs to the family of legumes, is also known as: garrofero, garrofer, garrofera, garrové. It is a tree of wood of great rusticity, its height is from 4 to 10 m. Approximately, the leaves are compound, perennial, pinnate, with 6 to 10 coriaceous leaflets and of a more or less intense green color, it has long and straight spines, its flowers are small, red and without petals, it provides fruit, wood, shade and It enriches and improves the conditions of the soil where it lives, its fruit is a dark brown leathery pod, which contains sweet and pleasant seeds.

The carob tree grows in desert areas and is located in countries such as: Peru, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Spain and the US; Due to its root system where it develops at great depths of the water table it tolerates long periods of drought.

The locust beans are the seeds of the carob, they have an oval shape, flattened about 9 to 10mm long and 6 to 8mm wide, they are reddish-brown almost black, bright and smooth. There are about 6 or 12 lozenges in each pod or pod. They are very hard and represent almost 10% of the weight of the whole fruit, they are very rich in galactomannans, polysaccharides and high quality proteins.

Applicability of the carob tree:

In some countries the carob tree is used as a base for the feeding of horse, thousand, bovine, sow, wool, cabrio and ass cattle. Dry or mature due to its abundance in sugar, it forms a nice feed for the cattle; they fatten them in a visible way and keep them perfectly healthy and with great vigor.
The logs of the carob tree are used exclusively as firewood or to make charcoal, they are even more appreciable than pine and olive.
The pulp converted into flour, is often used as a substitute for cocoa and in the manufacture of chocolate with a lower calorie intake. From the pod you get alcohol, sugar and certain laxative products.

In the seed or locus seeds are distinguished: the cuticle, the endosperm and the germ.

• Cuticle: active carbon is obtained, cellulose, coloring and gelatinizing substances, these products are applied in different industries such as: food, chemical and pharmaceutical.

• Endosperm: locust bean gum is obtained (E-410, natural gelling additive, stabilizer, thickener and emulsifier) ​​is used in a wide range of products and industrial processes such as: dietetic foods, food preparation (ice creams, creams, custards, biscuits, cakes, sauces, sausages and condiments) papermaking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paints and plastic manufacturing.

• Germ: conformed by the embryo and cotyledons, it is used due to its high protein content which makes it suitable for human consumption. Its flour is used as an additive in food preserves, the manufacture of pasta, bread and extracts for soup broths.

Nutritional properties of the carob tree:

The carob tree is very rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals as shown in the attached table.

Benefits of the carob tree:

• It has antioxidant action: it attacks the cancer cells specifically the cervical ones.
• Protects the cardiovascular system, prevents the formation of blood clots
• Helps to regulate intestinal transit fighting constipation, benefits our intestinal flora. It is used as an antidiarrheal in children.
• Stimulates the secretion of breast milk during the latency.
• Due to its high content of mucilage, it is used in inflammations of mucous membranes, reduces irritation of respiratory and digestive tracts.
• It is an energetic food: since it contains 50% of sugar and 10 of proteins, it combats tiredness and weakness.
• Prevents the formation of stones or kidney stones
• Helps to fight the premature deterioration of cells.
• It is a food suitable for celiac since it does not contain gluten
• Decrease blood glucose level
• Improves memory, helps cognitive functions such as learning.
• It benefits the formation of red blood cells, helping to prevent anemia
• It is an excellent food during the stages of growth, pregnancy and lactation, as well as for people who play sports or have high physical and mental demands.

I hope with this post to have contributed to make known this tree that has such wonderful properties..