Vegetable Gums

Vegetable gums are polysaccharides that absorb large quantities of water, swelling to produce thick liquids and gels. Gums were discussed in earlier chapters, since pentosan and beta-glucan gums are found in cereal grains, especially rye and oats. While some gums have a gummy texture, most do not when used correctly. All are vegetable in origin, meaning that they are extracted and purified from trees, bushes, shrubs, seeds, seaweed, or microorganisms. Many are all natural. Others, such as cellulose gum, are from natural sources but are chemically modified to improve their properties.