Carob << KAR uhb >> is a dark evergreen tree that grows in countries along the Mediterranean Sea. Some carobs are found in warm regions of the United States, especially the Southwest. The carob has brown, leathery pods that produce a gum. The gum, also called carob, has a taste similar to chocolate. After being roasted and ground, it can be substituted for chocolate.
Carob provides a chocolate flavor in many dishes and in such products as beverages and candy bars. During the 1970’s, large numbers of consumers and manufacturers began to use carob because of the increasingly high cost of chocolate. Some people prefer carob because they are allergic to chocolate.
The carob tree grows as tall as 50 feet (15 meters) and has small red flowers. Its pods range from 4 to 10 inches (10 to 25 centimeters) long.
