Guar bean

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Synonym(s)

Calcutta bean; Cluster bean; Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.; guar bean; Siam bean

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Guar or guar bean is an annual legume native to India and Pakistan. Meanwhile the palm is cultivated in Brazil, Africa, Australia, Israel and the USA. Guar is a 1 - 2 m tall legume with very hairy stems and branches. The 5-10cm long leaves are greenish-shiny, long oval, pointed and slightly toothed at the edges. Small about 8 mm long, light blue to whitish flower clusters stand upright in the leaf axils. The flowers develop into upright tufts of pods with small, oval, female to grey, wheat-like seeds about 5 mm long.

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. is the parent plant of guar, also known as guar meal, which is used as a filler, thickener and gelling agent in dietary products, also in cosmetics, due to its strong swelling properties. Guar is approved in the European Union as a food additive under the number E 412.

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles