Ceratonia siliqua, commonly known as the Carob tree, is a slow-growing exotic species with a life cycle of about 100 years. Native to the Eastern Mediterranean, it has been cultivated for 4,000 years for its sugar-rich pods and gum-containing seeds.

This evergreen tree can reach a mature height of 8 meters, with a spread of approximately 5 meters. It features a broad, semi-spherical crown, a thick trunk, and sturdy branches. Ceratonia siliqua is hermaphroditic, bearing both male and female flowers on the same tree. The blooms appear in clusters directly along the branches in autumn, followed by non-splitting pods ranging from 10 to 30 centimeters. The tree begins to fruit after about 6 to 7 years of growth.

The Carob tree thrives in a wide range of soils but prefers well-drained loams with a high lime content. It is quite hardy, tolerating dry conditions, which makes it an ideal choice for urban environments. Additionally, it serves as an excellent shade tree.

Traditionally, Carob pulp has been used in various culinary applications: it can be roasted and eaten as a snack, roasted and ground to make a cocoa substitute, fermented to produce alcohol, or diluted to create carob syrup.