Depending on the cultivars and the climatic conditions, blooming occurs from September to November. Within the inflorescence the basal flowers open before the apical ones. Pollination is assured by insects, but the wind is also reported to be an effective pollinator. The fruit is a bean, green during the developmental stages, dark brown when ripe. At harvest it is common to have on the tree simultaneously ripening fruits and flowers at anthesis.
Ripened fruits can remain on the tree for a long time.
The Mediterranean countries have traditionally grown Carob as a highly profitable species for human and livestock food use. Because carob has a high sugar and low protein content, the bean pulp is usually mixed with other feeds to obtain a complex fodder that, for its aromatic flavour, makes it more desirable and nutritious for horses, cattle and goats. For the human food industry, as the pulp contains more minerals and vitamins and less carbohydrate and fats than cocoa, the flour obtained by grinding the pulp can be used as a cocoa substitute in preparing diet pastry and drinks. The collection and evaluation of Mediterranean germplasm, as well as accurate breeding programs, appear to be the only way to achieve these objectives and facilitate the diffusion of this neglected species.