The Carob Tree (il-Harruba) is quite common on the Maltese Islands and could still be found in its natural habitat. The carob is one of the Mediterranean’s oldest trees, and grows without care or cultivation, surviving on meagre rainfall.

This tree produces carob pods which start developing on the tree in November and take till August to mature. Developed carob pods have the appearance of green broad beans but they turn a dark glossy brown when ripe.

The dark-brown carob pods are not only edible but rich in calcium, sucrose and protein. Moreover, the pod has vitamin A and B, and several important minerals.