Anyone who travels the Algarve crosses paths with carob trees at every turn. For thousands of years, Mediterranean peoples have gathered their pods, for the table and for the animals, and many regional sweets use carob as a main ingredient: it is sweet and tastes a little like cocoa.
More than 40 years ago, Joaquim’s grandmother made carob tea at home. Many years later, Joaquim Lourenço recreated that infusion from memory and realised no one was selling it, neither in Portugal nor in Spain. That is how Alkarub was born.
Today we select, dry and grind the pods in small batches and pack everything by hand, in the Algarve. That’s why every order takes its time.
We use the Mulata and Preta de Lagos varieties, native to the Algarve, chosen for their abundant pulp and the pod’s natural sugars. Our carob has organic certification, and we’re working towards Alkarub tea having that certification too, soon.
I'm an entrepreneur by nature — driven by the urge to make things, try them out, and start over whenever needed. I'm passionate about things that seem to have no value: that's how Alkarub was born, from a pod that almost everyone let fall to the ground, and that my grandmother knew how to turn into a special tea.
Sweet without sugar, comforting without caffeine.
Carob has been used for centuries in the Mediterranean as a nutritious food. These are its main qualities, based on the pod’s recognised nutritional characteristics.
The pod is naturally rich in dietary fibre, which helps with satiety and healthy digestion.
Contains polyphenols and tannins, compounds with antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals.
The pod’s natural sugars give a gentle energy boost, with no caffeine or theine — ideal for any time of day.
Provides minerals naturally present in the pod, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron.
A good option for anyone cutting down on caffeine, sensitive to gluten, or looking for a lighter alternative to chocolate.
Used for millennia in the Mediterranean as a food and traditional home remedy, long before being rediscovered as a superfood.
The Mulata and Preta de Lagos varieties are rich in pulp and in the pod’s own natural sugars, traditionally considered easier to tolerate than regular sugar — but anyone with diabetes should always consult their doctor.
The pods we use are organically certified. Alkarub tea is on its way to also having that certification, soon.
This information is nutritional and traditional in nature. Alkarub is a food and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment — for health questions, including diabetes, always consult a professional.
From pod to cup, it all happens by hand — ground in small batches, in the Algarve.Alkarub · Handmade
Four infusions, three formats. Combine everything into one order and send it once.
Made with time. Each Alkarub batch is produced in small quantities. Once we receive payment, your order ships by post within 4 to 5 business days.
Simple ideas for enjoying Alkarub hot, cold, or in the kitchen.
One tea bag or two teaspoons in 250 ml of freshly boiled water. Drink it plain or with plant milk, for a creamier cup.
Prepare as for hot, let it cool, and chill in the fridge. Serve over ice with citrus or mint.
A creamy, cocoa-flavoured latte, caffeine-free.
Refreshing for hot Algarve days.
An aromatic cup for after dinner.
Prepare it the night before and breakfast is ready.
Handmade in the Algarve and sold in local shops across the country. For the rest of the world, we ship by post.
We work with grocers, cafés and local-produce shops. Email us at info@alkarub.pt.
Pick a municipality (concelho) to see the shops that carry Alkarub there.
We bring Alkarub to fairs, markets and events. Come try the flavours and chat about carob.
Every pouch is packed by hand, batch by batch, in Budens.100% made by humans
You choose the products, send the order, and we reply by email confirming availability and with payment instructions. You don’t pay anything on the site.
Alkarub is made in small batches. Once we receive payment, we ship via CTT (the Portuguese postal service) within 4 to 5 business days.
In Portugal, shipping is €5, free above €30. For Europe, shipping is €9, free above €75.
Carob is traditionally used in the Mediterranean as a nutritious food: it is rich in fibre and in polyphenols with antioxidant properties, and is a natural source of calcium, potassium and magnesium. It is also naturally caffeine- and gluten-free. These are nutritional characteristics of the food — Alkarub does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The pods we use are organically certified, and we’re working towards Alkarub tea also having that certification soon. We use the Mulata and Preta de Lagos varieties, native to the Algarve, chosen for their abundant pulp and natural sugars.
Original is 100% carob. May contain traces of tree nuts. The tea bags are biodegradable and contain no microplastic. Store in a cool, dry place.
As this is a food product, we only accept returns of unopened or defective packages. Email us at info@alkarub.pt and we’ll sort it out.
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News, recipes and behind-the-scenes production at @alkarub.pt.