The subject in question is a tree native to the Mediterranean region, and it goes by the name of either “locust bean” or “St. John’s bread.” This particular tree produces beans that have a bitter taste, but they grow within a lengthy, juicy, and sweet pod. The pods can be consumed in their fresh or dried state and serve as the primary source of a thick, syrupy substance akin to molasses. Additionally, the beans can be ground into a fine powder, which is commonly used as a meal or flour substitute.
This passage is describing a type of fruit that comes from a shrub that is commonly found in the Mediterranean. The fruit is also known as “locust bean” and is widely used in the Middle East. The entire pod of the fruit is used to make a type of meal as well as a syrup. The flavor of the fruit is rather sweet and insipid, and it has a taste that is similar to chocolate, which is why health-food producers often use it as a substitute for chocolate.