The carob tree, St John's-bread, or locust bean is a species of flowering evergreen shrub or tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is widely cultivated for its edible pods, and as anornamental tree in gardens. The ripe, dried pod is often ground to carob powder, which is used to replace cocoa powder. Carob bars, an alternative to chocolate bars, are often available in health-food stores. 

In Cyprus, carob syrup is known as Cyprus's black gold, and is widely exported. It contains three times more calcium than milk. It is also rich in iron, phosphorus and natural fibers (Due to its strong taste, it can be found mixed with orange or chocolate).