The Carob Tree is well adapted to the conditions of the Algarve’s barrocal region, a limestone and stony terrain with scarce water. In ancient times, the average weight of a carob seed was used as a reference for precious stones and metals.
The solidus (gold coin) weighed 24 kerátion (carob seeds), which is why 24 carats (200 milligrams) became the ideal measure for precious metals. In the Algarve, the flour derived from the carob pods is used in cooking and as a substitute for cocoa.
