Aflatoxin and Food Safety in Carob Consumption
Aflatoxins are compounds produced by some types of mold and are among the most monitored natural contaminants in terms of food safety. This issue is also important for carob, as products stored by drying, such as dried fruits, nuts and grains, carry the risk of mold in unsuitable conditions.
Read MoreFighting Carob Moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae)
Carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae, better known as carob moth in Turkey, is the most important pest encountered by carob in the garden and storage. Its larvae feed inside the pods, contaminating the fruit and reducing its commercial value. Moreover, this moth causes damage not only to carob, but also to many products such as pomegranates, citrus fruits, figs, dates and almonds.
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Quality Standards in Carob Exports
When exporting carob, the first thing buyers look at is often not the price, but the quality specification of the product. Humidity, foreign matter, mycotoxins, infestation and microbiological values are the main criteria that determine whether a batch will be accepted or not.
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How to Dry and Store Carob Fruit?
Carob is a fruit that loses water spontaneously while ripening on the tree and can be stored for a long time under the right conditions. However, this durability depends on the correct management of humidity, temperature and storage hygiene after harvest. Pods that are inadequately dried or kept in a humid environment increase the risk of mold, loss of quality and insect damage.
Read MoreWhen and How to Harvest Carob?
Carob harvesting is a largely manual labor job that usually starts at the end of summer on the Mediterranean coast and lasts throughout autumn depending on the region. When the pods ripen on the tree and begin to dry, they are dropped from the branches with long poles and collected in nets or covers laid under the tree. Harvesting at the right time directly affects both the quality of the fruit and the next year's product.
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Dried Carob Fruit Buying Guide
Dried carob is a fruit that is offered for sale by collecting and cleaning the pods that ripen and dry on the tree. It can be consumed as a snack and is also the raw material of products such as molasses, powder and broken. Therefore, both a person who buys a few kilos for consumption at home and a business that buys by tons for production should pay attention to the same basic quality marks.
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