Guar

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba

legume · prebiotic

Seeds of an annual legume 1 to 2 metres tall, with pink flowers, that withstands drought; a gum that gels in cold water is extracted from them. It is a soluble fibre.

Origin

India and Pakistan

Season (United States)

all year round · grows in your region

Preparation

Guar gum is used by the pinch: sprinkled in while whisking, it thickens a sauce, ice cream or smoothie without heat. In India, the young pods are cooked as a vegetable, like green beans.

Molecules

Mucilages

Did you know?

It is the additive E412, a thickener and stabiliser in many foods; in the seed, this gum serves as a store of water and food.