The carob Ceratonia siliqua is a flowering evergreen tree or shrub in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is widely cultivated for its edible pods, and as an ornamental tree in gardens and landscapes. The carob tree is native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East.The carob tree grows up to 15 m 50 ft tall. The crown is broad and semispherical, supported by a thick trunk with rough brown bark and sturdy branches. Its leaves are 10 to 20 cm 4 to 8 in long, alternate, pinnate, and may or may not have a terminal leaflet. It is frost-tolerant to roughly 20 °F −7 °C. The ripe, dried, and sometimes toasted pod is often ground into carob powder, which is used to replace cocoa powder. Carob bars an alternative to chocolate bars, as well as carob chips an alternative to chocolate chips, and carob treats are often available in health food stores. Carob pods are naturally sweet, not bitter, and contain no theobromine or caffeine.

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