Carob production and processing flourishes in Nabatieh

As Safir newspaper published a report on Carobs production in Iqlim al Kharroub and Nabatieh which has prospered during the mandates of the new municipalities created in the 1990s as the planting of carob trees was given due consideration during the reforestation campaigns which started then.  Carob has become an income generating plant which the municipality is offering to lease through a bidding process.
The report notes that the Carob Molasses factories have started recently in these areas after the creation of the factory in Arab Salim as a result of the efforts of the Agriculture Association with the support of funding agencies.  This factory is now one of its kind in the region in terms of its modern status.  The factory can produce 100 tons of high quality molasses and is sought by many people who plant and process and trade in carobs.  The president of the association, engineer Kassem Hassan, noted that the organization is keen on maximizing benefit from carob seeds in view of its importance in cosmetics production.  He added that the organization also produces carob juices and sugar free carobs biscuits.
In the village of Kharayeb in Zahrani, processing of carobs molasses is considered to be a rural and artisanal craft and a main landmark of this village which has been producing it for 60 years.  The village had two old carobs presses one of which is still operational and is managed by Ali Khalife who noted that this food will remain a main dish in the village.
Source: Al-Safir 8 July 2014