Carobs take the spotlight in the Algarve

This month, carob will take centre stage in a series of workshops and tastings being held across Silves, as the municipality continues its programme marking World Tourism Day 2026.

Organised under the “Workshops and Tastings Outside the Shell” programme, the activities will explore the Algarve crop through food, drink and creative work, with events taking place at the Fábrica do Inglês, Bagamel and the Serra Museum in São Marcos da Serra.

The initiative begins on 10 October with “Carob with…Art!”, running from 10am to 12.30pm at the Fábrica do Inglês. Led by Manoli Ortiz de la Torre, the workshop will introduce participants to ecoprinting using carob tree leaves to create patterns on the paper.

Participants will also work together on a canvas using the same technique, which will later become part of the “Carob – Memories of a Life” exhibition currently on display at the venue.

A break of around 90 minutes will allow the pieces to be cooked. During this time, participants can explore the exhibition and visit the Cork Museum, with registrations open until 7 October.

Workshops

Carob will then move into the world of drinks on 15 October, when Bagamel hosts “Carob with… liqueur!” from 3pm to 4pm.

Vanessa Pereira will lead a tasting of Bagamel’s liqueurs, explaining how the drinks are made, including a tour of the company’s facilities and an introduction to its history, with registrations open until 11 October.

The final October workshop will focus on one of the crop’s most traditional uses. “Carob with… bread!” will be held at the Serra Museum in São Marcos da Serra on 24 October, from 2pm to 6pm.

Led by Renato Marques, the session will teach participants how to make carob bread in a wood-fired oven, followed by a tiborna tasting, with registration closing on 17 October.

Free participation

The Municipality of Silves reports that participation in all three activities is free, although advance registration is compulsory, and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached.

Between October and December, Espaço Jali will run the “Carob Creative Atelier”, offering activities for different age groups centred on art, crafts and creativity.

Further workshops are also expected in November, with details still being prepared.

According to the Municipality of Silves, the World Tourism Day programme will continue until the end of the year, using carob to showcase local products, traditional knowledge, and activities connected to the municipality.