Carob Varieties and Types in Turkey
Turkey is located within the natural distribution area of carob and both wild and grafted carob trees are found on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. However, rather than commercial varieties that have been named and spread over a wide area, such as in Spain or Portugal, local types specific to the region and genotypes selected from natural populations come to the fore.
In this article, we summarize the carob gene sources in Turkey, the differences between wild and grafted types, the findings of research conducted in Antalya, Muğla and Alanya, local type names and the current status of selection studies based on sources.
Is Turkey the Natural Home of Carob?
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) grows naturally on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey. In the investor guide of the General Directorate of Forestry, it is stated that carob is naturally distributed on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, and its natural areas from sea level to 800-1,000 meters above sea level have been identified in our country (OGM, 2020). In the same report, based on TURKSTAT data, it is stated that the provinces with the highest production in 2019 were Mersin (6,941 tons) and Antalya (6,135 tons), followed by Adana, Muğla, Osmaniye and Burdur.
This wide natural distribution makes Turkey an important carob gene source country. Tetik et al. (2011), who examined genotypes collected from different regions of Turkey, concluded that Turkey has rich carob genetic resources at the end of their study. Korkmaz et al. (2020), who examined the wild population in Marmaris, also identify Turkish wild carob populations as a promising genetic source for future breeding programs.
Wild (Delice) and Grafted Carob
Carob trees in Turkey can be roughly divided into two groups:
| Wild (delice) trees | They are ungrafted trees that grow spontaneously from seeds. Maquis is common on rocky slopes and forests. Pods are usually smaller and thin-fleshed; there are great differences between types. |
| Grafted trees | They are trees grafted with a pencil or eye taken from a tree that produces large and sweet pods on wild rootstock. It is more common in gardens, village circles and field edges. |
One of the most comprehensive studies that numerically reveals the difference between these two groups belongs to Tetik et al. (2011). 70 promising wild and grafted genotypes selected according to pod characteristics from the main carob areas in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions were examined. According to the findings, wild pods were generally smaller, wild genotypes were both significantly separated from grafted genotypes and showed more variation among themselves:
| Property (average) | Wild genotypes | Grafted genotypes |
|---|---|---|
| Link width | 18.16 mm | 21.79 mm |
| Link length | 16.18 cm | 16.91 cm |
| Link thickness | 6.42 mm | 8.79 mm |
| Water-soluble dry matter | %59,42 | %64,06 |
| Total acidity | %0,78 | %0,78 |
Source: Tetik et al. (2011).
The most striking difference in the table is in the thickness of the pods. Since thickness is an indicator of the fleshy part of the pods, the fact that grafted types are meatier and have higher soluble dry matter (largely sugar) explains why the centuries-old grafting tradition in Turkey has turned to the "fleshy and sweet" pods.
Local Type Names: Succulent, Samos and Others
In Turkey, carob types are given folk names that vary from region to region. An example of local genotypes mentioned in the scientific literature is a study conducted in Antalya comparing one wild and two native genotypes. Gübbük et al. (2010) found that the native (cultivated) genotypes named "Etli" and "Samos" were superior to the wild genotype in terms of pod characteristics; they reported that the soluble dry matter and fructose, glucose and sucrose contents of the native genotypes were higher, and that sucrose was the most abundant sugar in all genotypes. On the other hand, the wild genotype contained more seeds on average and showed a higher core/shell ratio. The researchers found Etli and Samos to be better in terms of pod characteristics, and the wild genotype was better in terms of seed characteristics.
This finding confirms on a local scale that the choice of variety and type of carob depends on the purpose of use: Meaty types may be more advantageous for molasses, flour and powder, and types with abundant seeds may be more advantageous for kernels and gum raw materials.
In many regions in Turkey, local names are used other than these. However, a significant part of these names are not scientifically defined types with determined standard characteristics; the same name can be used for different trees in different villages. In the sources examined for this article, there is no information about a commercial carob variety that has become widespread and registered in a wide area in Turkey.
Research Findings by Region
Antalya: The impact of location
Balkıç, Polat, and Gübbük (2024), who examined the fruit and seed characteristics of wild carob genotypes naturally growing in Antalya in different districts, reported that these characteristics differ according to districts and that the difference is due to geographical location and ecological conditions. The best results in terms of all the characteristics examined were obtained in Demre; here, fruit length was measured as approximately 19.03 cm, fruit weight was 10.93 g, and seed yield was measured as 26.80%. Demre was followed by Kumluca. One of the remarkable results of the study is that seed yield is higher in the south and low-altitude locations than in northern and high-altitude locations. The researchers recommended the use of propagation material from Demre in new gardens for seed production.
Antalya – Serik: Tree morphology
Pepe and Yıldırım (2026), who examined the tree characteristics of 45 genotypes selected from the natural population in Serik district between 2022 and 2024, reported that the trunk circumference varied between 45–268 cm, the leaflet length was 37.52–75.36 mm, and the leaflet width was 24.23–54.63 mm. 60% of the genotypes were found to be in the habit of upright growth and 60% were found to be multi-stemmed; the researchers concluded that there was significant variation between the genotypes. Such morphological identifications constitute the first step in selection studies.
Muğla – Marmaris: Diversity of the wild population
In the study, in which 36 wild genotypes from rural areas of Marmaris were examined, the pod weight varied between 8.3 g and 29.5 g, the pod length between 12.54 cm and 21.67 cm, and the pod thickness between 4.80 mm and 8.37 mm. The water-soluble dry matter in the pods was found to be between 49.36% and 69.36%. Most of the genotypes showed clear growth habitus (Korkmaz et al., 2020). The fact that the pod weight changed more than three times even in the wild population in a single district shows how the natural carob presence in Turkey offers a wide range of material for selection.
Alanya: Geographically indicated carob
Alanya carob was registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office on 26.02.2025 with the registration number 1705 under the name "Alanya Carob / Alanya Carob" as a mahreç mark. The registration certificate defines the product as having a fruit weight of 28.8–41.8 g, a wall thickness of 7.5–11, a number of seeds of 13–15, and a sucrose content of 30.05–32.55%. The document states that the saplings are produced by grafting the seedlings obtained from the seed with the "local carob variety"; however, this local variety is not given a specific name (Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, 2025).
The example of Alanya shows that carob types in Turkey are often identified with a local name rather than a variety name. A geographical indication can contribute to the preservation and recognition of local types by recording the characteristics of the product specific to this region.
Status of Selection Studies
A significant part of the academic studies on carob selection in Turkey have been carried out in universities on the Mediterranean coast, especially in Antalya. These studies generally follow the following stages:
- Identification of promising trees in natural populations and old gardens
- Defining tree morphology (habitus, trunk, leaf)
- Measurement of pod and seed characteristics (weight, size, yield)
- Analysis of chemical properties such as sugar, acidity, mineral and phenolic substance
- Proposal of superior genotypes as propagation material
The studies of Tetik et al. (2011), Gübbük et al. (2010), Korkmaz et al. (2020), Balkıç et al. (2024), and Pepe and Yıldırım (2026) cited above represent different links in this chain. A book chapter on carob cultivation, which is a Turkish compilation (Gübbük and Balkıç, 2023), is also a reference source for those who want to look at the subject from the perspective of Turkey.
However, it is a process that requires many years for late-fruiting trees such as carob to undergo long-term yield trials of the determined promising genotypes, to register them as varieties and to deliver them to the producer as certified saplings. Considering that variety comparison trials in Spain and Portugal take 13-18 years (Tous et al., 2008; 2009), it can be said that a similar time horizon is required for selection studies in Turkey to reach the variety stage.
What Does It Mean for the Manufacturer and the Buyer?
The diversity of carob types in Turkey is both an opportunity and a challenge. It is an opportunity because there is a wide range of genetic material suitable for different uses. It is a challenge because the scarcity of standard varieties can lead to differences in pod size, sugar and seed ratio between batches.
Therefore:
- The producer who will establish a new garden must obtain grafting material from local types that are known to give good results in their region,
- Preferring meaty or seedy types according to the targeted product,
- Buyers, on the other hand, evaluate the product according to measurable properties (moisture, size, sugar, kernel ratio, foreign matter) rather than the type name.
it is a healthier approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a registered carob variety in Turkey? In the sources examined for this article, no registered commercial carob variety has been found that has become widespread in a wide area in Turkey. Cultivation is largely done with local types.
What is Succulent and Samos? They are two native carob genotypes examined in a study conducted in Antalya. They were found to be superior to the wild genotype in terms of broad pine characteristics and sugar content.
Is wild carob worthless? Although wild types produce smaller and less fleshy pods, they may be advantageous in terms of seed characteristics and are an important source of genes for breeding.
What makes Alanya carob different? Alanya carob is registered with a geographical indication; its distinctive features such as fruit weight, wall thickness, number of seeds and sugar content are defined in the registration certificate.
Domestic Carob with Carob Türkiye
Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coasts offer a valuable gene pool for carob with its local types and rich wild populations that have been selected and grafted for centuries. As an Alanya-based company, we care about the reflection of this local richness in the product. As Carob Türkiye, we supply carob fruit, kibble, flour/powder, seeds and extracts.
For general information about carob What is Carob? You can read our article, Carob Fruit and Our Products You can review our pages. For your wholesale and export requests Contact Now You can contact us on our page.
Domestic resources
Balkıç, R., Polat, İ., Gübbük, H., "Effects of Different Locations on Fruit and Seed Characteristics in Naturally Growing Wild Carob Genotypes in Antalya", Journal of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, 15(2), 74–80, 2024. doi.
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org/ 10. 55979/ tjse. 1956615 Turkish Patent and Trademark Office, "Alanya Carob / Alanya Carob" Geographical Indication Registration Certificate, Registration No: 1705, 2025. ci.
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gov. en/ assets/ upload/ files/ Carob- … Gübbük, H., Balkıç, R., "Carob Cultivation", Minor Fruits-II (ed. D. M. Sülüşoğlu, M. Polat), İKSAD, pp. 253–304, 2023. avesis.
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org/ 10. 1016/ j. Scienta. 2011. 04. 029 Gübbük, H., Kafkas, E., Güven, D., Güneş, E., "Physical and phytochemical profile of wild and domesticated carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) genotypes", Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 8(4), 1129–1136, 2010. doi.
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org/ 10. 2478/ fhort- 2020- 0007 Foreign sources
Tous, J., Romero, A., Hermoso, J. F., Ninot, A., Plana, J., "Fruiting and Kernel Production Characteristics of Ten Mediterranean Carob Cultivars Grown in Northeastern Spain", Journal of the American Pomological Society, 62(4), 144–150, 2008. doi.
org/ 10. 71318/ apom. 2008. 62. 4. 144 Tous, J., Romero, A., Hermoso, J. F., Ninot, A., Plana, J., Batlle, I., "Agronomic and Commercial Performance of Four Spanish Carob Cultivars", HortTechnology, 19(2), 465–470, 2009. agris.
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