Rediscovering the tasty and healthy carob

submitted by Gozo College Middle School : EkoSkola Committee  for 11-14
campaign: Litter Less Campaign Entry
dissemination(s): EkoSkola blog, Ekoskola noticeboard, newspaper, other, school magazine, school media, tv, website
Proof of dissemination: Click to view
sustainable development goal(s): good health and well being, life on land, quality education, responsible consumption and production, zero hunger
filed under Articles


The fruit of the carob tree is a healthy substitute for chocolate and can be used to make cakes and drinks, students at Gozo College’s Middle School learned during an ecoschool project over the past three months.
The students have been conducting research on the tree and learning how to prepare traditional and innovative recipes using the carob pod, the fruit of the carob, an indigenous and protected tree that grows naturally in the local outdoor environment.
The school recently held an open day to showcase the work done by the ecoschool committee and Year 8 students as part of the project, which is aimed at instilling in the students, staff and the wider school community a greater appreciation towards the local natural environment, responsible food production and consumption and a more sustainable lifestyle.
During the event, students, teachers, staff and parents were invited to taste carob cake and carob-banana smoothies prepared by the students. They were also able to buy traditional carob syrup and cake mix stored in reused jars.
An informative leaflet about the carob tree was launched. It includes information about the tree, and six simple, healthy recipes using the carob products, among other information.
During this scholastic year, the college’s ecoschool committee is also participating in the Learning About Forests (Leaf) and Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) programmes, the We Eat Responsibly project and the Litter Less Campaign.