Carob tea: what it is, what it tastes like and why it has no caffeine
Carob tea is not strictly a tea: it does not come from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) but from the pods of the carob tree. The fruit is dried, ground and brewed as an infusion. The result is a naturally sweet drink with notes of cocoa and no caffeine.
What carob tea is
It is an infusion made from carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua), a tree found all over the Algarve and the Mediterranean. The pods are dried and ground, then steeped in hot water, the way you would make tea.
The carob fruit has been part of Mediterranean culture for thousands of years. The grandmother of Joaquim Lourenço, founder of Alkarub, made carob tea at home more than 40 years ago, and the brand grew out of that memory.
What it tastes like
Carob is naturally sweet and reminds many people of cocoa, without the bitterness. That is why the infusion needs no sugar. Alkarub has four flavours:
- Original: 100% carob, sweet with notes of cocoa.
- Rosemary: 85% carob and 15% rosemary, with the herbal aroma of rosemary.
- Peppermint: fresh and soothing, good hot and even better iced.
- Orange: carob with dried orange, for a citrus touch.
Why it has no caffeine
Carob contains no caffeine or theine, unlike tea, coffee or yerba mate. You can drink it at any time of day, including in the evening. And it has no added sugars: the sweetness comes from the pod itself.
How to make it
- Hot: one tea bag or two teaspoons in 250 ml of freshly boiled water. Steep for 5 to 7 minutes and drink it plain or with plant milk for a creamier cup.
- Iced: make it as you would hot, let it cool and keep it in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. Serve over ice with citrus or mint.
- Carob latte: 2 teaspoons of Alkarub Original in 150 ml of water, 100 ml of milk or plant milk and cinnamon to taste. Steep the carob in the water, then add the warmed milk and the cinnamon.
From the orchard to the cup
The pods come from the Mulata and Preta de Lagos varieties, native to the Algarve. They are picked by hand between August and September. The pods are selected, dried and ground in small batches, and every bag is packed by hand in Budens, in the municipality of Vila do Bispo. The tea bags are biodegradable.
Frequently asked questions
Does carob tea have caffeine?
No. Carob contains no caffeine or theine, so the infusion can be enjoyed at any time of day.
What does carob tea taste like?
It is naturally sweet with notes of cocoa and no bitterness. The Rosemary, Peppermint and Orange flavours add a herbal, fresh or citrus touch.
Can I drink it iced?
Yes. Make it as you would hot, let it cool and keep it in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. Serve over ice with citrus or mint.
Where can I buy Alkarub carob tea?
On the Alkarub website, with shipping to Portugal and Europe, and in partner shops in the Algarve and along the Alentejo coast.
Try Alkarub
Four flavours, handmade in the Algarve.