Originally from the Mediterranean and the western Asia, Carob is now mainly grown in Mediterranean countries. The gum is extracted from the seeds of the Carob tree(Seratonia siliqua). Gums are famously bland, they are generally odourless and tasteless and most have no energy value. They do though have a nutritional function besides their mechanical and cosmetic ones: in digestion they function as fibre, easing bowel function, and some are used as bulk laxatives.

Used in frozen desserts, cultured dairy products and cream cheese.