Guar and Locust Bean Gum

Guar gum and locust bean gum are from the endosperm of beans growing in pods that look much like string beans or pea pods. Guar gum is from the beans of a plant (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) that grows in India and Pakistan. Locust bean gum, also called carob gum, is from the beans of an evergreen tree (Ceratonia siliqua) originally from the Mediterranean. While locust bean gum is from the bean, another food ingredient, carob powder, is from the pod that contains the locust beans (Figure 12.3). To make carob powder, also called carob flour, the beans are removed and the pods are roasted and ground. Carob powder is sometimes used as a cocoa powder substitute.