The carob tree, also known as St John's bread tree, is a species of evergreen tree that bears pod-like fruits with mild, sweet flesh. In some regions, it is also referred to as the locust bean tree, due to the resemblance of its pods to locusts. Another common synonym for the carob tree is the Egyptian fig, a reference to the ancient Egyptians' use of carob pods as a form of natural sweetener. Other regional synonyms include the kharuv fruit tree in Israel and the algarrobo tree in South America. Regardless of its name, the carob tree has been valued for its edible pods and timber for thousands of years.