Our carobs

Carobs

Carob Racemosa

A treasure of organic farming tradition

Alongside the production of extra virgin olive oil is the production of carob, produced from our evergreen Racemosa quality trees - some of which are centuries old - and certified annually in strict compliance with European organic standards by BioAgricert.

The carob tree: history and curiosities of an ancient fruit

Native to Syria, the Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) has spread throughout the Mediterranean basin and particularly in southeastern Sicily since Phoenician times. Carobs appear as flattened pods, initially green, which turn dark brown and harden when they reach maturity in late summer. Not everyone knows that their seeds are called “carats,” so much so that for many centuries they were used as a unit of measurement for weighing precious stones and metals, since by nature these seeds surprisingly always weigh 1/5th of a gram. In fact, the word “carat” itself comes from the same Greek name for carob (kerátion).

Properties and uses of locust beans

Totally edible and with a pasty, sugary pulp and a flavor vaguely reminiscent of cocoa, locust beans find use not only in the food industry (from confectionery for cakes, creams, jams and other flavorings, to the preparation of fresh pasta and as a thickener for cheese production), but also in the pharmaceutical industry (for their balsamic qualities and as an intestinal regulator), as well as in the cosmetics industry.

Also called “Mediterranean cocoa,” as such they have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as they are rich in polyphenols, particularly flavonoids and tannins contained in the seeds, as well as fiber and minerals.

Minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and iron, B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12), vitamin C, vitamin E, K, and J are present in the dried and crushed pulp, with a calorie yield of only 250 calories per 100 g.

While carob seed flour is ideal for the food industry for its binding, thickening and gelling function.

Compared to classic cocoa, locust beans in fact have a far greater anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, while containing neither caffeine nor theobromine. You can buy our locust beans still in pods in 5 and 10kg bags, or processed into “locust bean pulp” flour and “locust bean seed” flour, in 1, 3 and 5kg bags.

Sicilian Racemose Carobs: authentic, healthy, 100% natural

Grown using traditional and sustainable methods, rich in taste and nutritional properties, they are perfect for healthy and wholesome eating.
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