Yes! Due to the absence of any ingredients obtained from animals, guar gum is vegan. However, why do I notice it in vegan cuisine, such as plant-based milks? And does it promote health?
What Is Guar Gum?
The primary components of guar gum, a type of fiber, are galactose and mannose, two polysaccharides (meaning many sugars). These sugars can combine with water to create a solid hydrogen bond and a texture that resembles gum or gel.
You may have already noticed this alteration in look when mixing the powder with a cold or room-temperature liquid; the result is guar "gum," which has a gel or gummy consistency.
What Is Guar Gum?
It is especially helpful in the food industry because of this, where it is frequently used as a stabilizer, binding agent, and food additive. Guar gum, for instance, may help keep the other components in almond milk from separating, ensuring that each sip doesn't just taste like water or almonds.
Following are some instances of foods that may have guar gum powder added as an additive:
Certain dairy products (like those found in ice cream, including vegan ice cream!)
animal-free milks
bakery products, like gluten-free buns
sauces for salads
Some of these products, as you may have observed, may or may not be vegan. Check the ingredients list if that is essential to you!
What components make up guar gum? processed kernels from the guar bean, also called cluster beans! In other terms, the guar bean seed is used to extract the "gum." The domesticated variety might have come from Pakistan and India.
You might find it interesting to know that it has also been used in other sectors, including paper, pet food (yes, guar gum can definitely be found in pet food), and other products.
Is Guar Gum Vegan?
Yes! Since guar gum doesn't contain any animal byproducts, it is vegan. Meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey are all examples of ingredients that cannot be used in vegan cuisine.
Guar gum frequently contains only one ingredient—guar gum! as we already determined. This is a plant-based product because it is made from legume seeds.