Ingredient

Ceratonia Siliqua Gum (Carob Resinoid)

Ceratonia Siliqua

Carob resinoid gives Lush products a cake-like scent reminiscent of freshly baked goods.

The carob tree is an evergreen native to the Mediterranean but can also be found growing in Asia. Classified as a legume, it belongs to the pea family (Fabaceae) and produces pods that contain up to fifteen seeds. These pods are harvested when they change from green to brown.

What is carob used for?

The seeds of this sweet pod can be used to produce a gum, also known as locust bean gum, which can be used as a thickening agent in food. Carob resinoid is made from the pods, which are considered waste in gum production. The pods are roasted and ground into a powder, which is then solvent extracted to achieve a resinoid. We primarily use carob resinoid as a fragrance ingredient for its sticky, warm and mouth-watering smell.

Where do we source carob resinoid?

We purchase carob from a supplier in Morocco, where around 50% of the world’s carob is grown. The carob pods are wild-harvested, then brought to a collection centre and finally to our supplier facility. Carob trees need minimal water, thriving in arid conditions, making them useful in the fight against desertification and soil erosion. Our supplier runs a carob program as part of their efforts to provide local communities in the Atlas Mountains with complementary sources of income, and expand forested areas in Morocco.