Carob, the fruit that has nourished generations, besides its nutritional value, has also served as a unit of measurement for precious metals and stones. But let’s start from the beginning.
The carob tree, known since ancient times, carries a rich history and various names. The carob tree first appeared in the Middle East (Syria, Palestine). The name ‘carob’ is of Arabic origin (karub).
Today, it has scientific names such as “Ceratonia” or “Keratonía” or “Keratéa” or “Ellovos.” In Greece, carob trees are mainly found in the south. Other names include “Kerónia,” “Xylokeratiá” (Crete, Peloponnese), “Koudouridiá” (Dodecanese) or “Teratsiá” (Cyprus). The official name comes from Latin: “Ceratonia siliqua.” The name “ceratonia” comes from the ancient Greek word ‘kéras’ (of the horn) and is related to the horn-shaped form of the fruit, while the word “siliqua” in Latin means pod, carob.
The name “xylokerato” and the tree “Xylokeratia” derive from the shape of carob pods, which indeed resemble horns. In ancient times, carob pods were called “keratia,” meaning small horns. “Kerátiοn” was also the term for the seed contained within the carob pod. Each pod contains 5 to 15 seeds (keratia). They are round and flat, enclosed in a hard shell.
The weight of the seeds was approximately 0.2 grams, and they had a consistent size, suitable for use as weights on scales for weighing precious metals during the Hellenistic period. Moreover, a carob seed, that is, a keratíon, always had a similar weight, around 190 to 205 milligrams. For this reason, carob seeds started to be used as a unit of weight. Soon after, a new unit of measurement was invented, called “keratíon,” which corresponded to one-third (1/3) of the obol.
Later, in Byzantine coinage, the “keratíon” became a unit of weight for noble metals, equivalent to 1/1728 of a Roman pound, which is approximately 0.189 or 0.186 grams. More practically, one keratíon was equal to 1/24 of the gold Byzantine coin “aureum solidum” or solidus. Despite the variations in the purity of this particular gold coin, a Solidus of Emperor Constantine the Great weighed 24 carats of gold (that is, 1/72 of a Roman pound).
This Byzantine unit of measurement and the word “keratíon” traveled eastward and entered the Arabic language as ‘qirat.’ Qirat, again as a unit of weight, corresponds to 1/24 of a Dinar.
The Arabic word “qirat” travels back to the West and integrates into medieval Latin as ‘caratus’ (there is evidence in alchemists’ texts). From there, it continues its journey, and the Latin ‘caratus’ becomes the Italian ‘carato.’ Carato means a unit of measurement for the purity title of gold. This word gains worldwide recognition and returns to Greek as a loanword. ‘Karati’ is now known to everyone as the terminology for the smallest unit of gold measurement. So, from carob pods, we reached karats!
Best-selling carob products for this year
Whole Carob BIO 300gr.
Caffeine-free - Gluten Free - No preservatives or additives – Naturally sweet – Lightly roasted - 100% Cretan carob
Carob is a nutritionally complete fruit and its nutritional value is remarkable. It is rich in fibers, polyphenols and tannins which provide its antioxidant properties. Although it is rich in natural sugars,it islowin calories, fat, gluten-free andcaffeine free. Carob is rich in vitamins A,B and D, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, carbohydrates, protein, magnesium, and various metals. It is consumed raw as a fruit. Be careful with the hard pods.
Whole Carob BIO 300gr. (Pack of 3)
Caffeine-free - Gluten Free - No preservatives or additives – Naturally sweet – Lightly roasted - 100% Cretan carob
Carob is a nutritionally complete fruit and its nutritional value is remarkable. It is rich in fibers, polyphenols and tannins which provide its antioxidant properties. Although it is rich in natural sugars,it islowin calories, fat, gluten-free andcaffeine free. Carob is rich in vitamins A,B and D, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, carbohydrates, protein, magnesium, and various metals. It is consumed raw as a fruit. Be careful with the hard pods.INGREDIENTS: Whole Carob STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
INGREDIENTS: Whole Carob STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
Raw Carob Flour BIO 300gr.
Raw Carob Flour BIO 300gr. (Pack of 3)
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
Caroffee BIO 300gr. (coffee substitute)
Caroffee BIO 300gr. (Pack of 3)
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
Carob Powder BIO 300gr.
Carob Powder BIO 300gr. (Pack of 3)
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
Nutrition Carob Bar 50gr.
Carob Nutrient Bar
Handmade nutritional bar with organic carob honey and uncooked thyme honey.
No sugar and no preservatives.
Nutrition Carob Bar 50gr. (Pack of 5)
Raw Carob Syrup BIO 350gr.
Raw Carob Syrup BIO 350gr. (Pack of 3)
INGREDIENTS: Carob, Water STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
INGREDIENTS: Carob, Water STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
Carob mini Rusk 300gr.
mini Carob Rusk
The Cretan carob nut is a ptraditional Greek bakery product, with carob flavor.
Contains only natural ingredients, such as water, olive oil, high-quality flour and carob powder, without preservatives and additives.
It has nutritional value with many health benefits. It is rich in fiber and has all the ingredients for a proper nutritional diet.
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It is of small size,
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slightly sweet,
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carob flavor and
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sprinkled with sesame seeds.
You can serve them together with other cookies and biscuits when drinking/serving coffee, tea or plain milk. It can be eaten plain or with any coating, such as tomato, cheese, pickles, olives, etc.
It is an ideal supplement for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
No added sugar. Components: flour, barley, carob flour, salt, yeast, sesame NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
Caroffee 300gr.
Caroffee 300gr. (Pack of 3)
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
Raw Carob Flour 300gr.
Raw Carob Flour 300gr. (Pack of 3)
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
Carob Tea BIO 300gr.
INGREDIENTS: Carob in pieces STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
Nutrition Carob Bar with Chocolate 45gr. BIO
Handmade nutritional chocolate bar
Organic carob honey and uncooked thyme honey, without preservatives.
Contains nuts and dried fruits.
Nutrition Carob Bar with Chocolate 45gr. BIO (Packet of 5)
Handmade nutritional chocolate bar
Organic carob honey and uncooked thyme honey, without sugar and without preservatives.
Contains nuts and dried fruits.
Components: almonds, peanuts, dates, chocolates (70% cocoa mass, raw cane sugar, cocoa butter) carob honey, carob powder, honey, raisins, figs NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
Whole Carob 300gr.
Caffeine-free - Gluten Free - No preservatives or additives – Naturally sweet – Lightly roasted - 100% Cretan carob
Carob is a nutritionally complete fruit and its nutritional value is remarkable. It is rich in fibers, polyphenols and tannins which provide its antioxidant properties. Although it is rich in natural sugars,it islowin calories, fat, gluten-free andcaffeine free. Carob is rich in vitamins A,B and D, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, carbohydrates, protein, magnesium, and various metals. It is consumed raw as a fruit. Be careful with the hard pods.
Whole Carob 300gr. (Pack of 3)
Caffeine-free - Gluten Free - No preservatives or additives – Naturally sweet – Lightly roasted - 100% Cretan carob
Carob is a nutritionally complete fruit and its nutritional value is remarkable. It is rich in fibers, polyphenols and tannins which provide its antioxidant properties. Although it is rich in natural sugars,it islowin calories, fat, gluten-free andcaffeine free. Carob is rich in vitamins A,B and D, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, carbohydrates, protein, magnesium, and various metals. It is consumed raw as a fruit. Be careful with the hard pods.INGREDIENTS: Whole Carob STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
INGREDIENTS: Whole Carob STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place NUTRITION FACTS (per 100gr):
