Acacia (Gum Acaacia)

Gum arabic is a complex mixture of glycoproteins and polysaccharides. It was historically the source of the sugars arabinose and ribose, both of which were first discovered and isolated from it, and are named after it.

Gum arabic is used primarily in the food industry as a stabilizer. It is edible and has E number E414. Gum arabic is a key ingredient in traditional lithography and is used in printing, paint production, glue, cosmetics and various industrial applications, including viscosity control in inks and in textile industries, although less expensive materials compete with it for many of these roles.

Uses of Gum Arabic

• Used more generously than glair, if a little sugar or honey is put into it to keep it from becoming brittle.
• The use of gum produces a more transparent effect than that of glair, the colour tends to be laid more thinly and to appear richer and darker.
• Used as a basic ingredient of familiar foods such as chewing gum, marshmallows and liquorice.
• In brewing, it is used as a foam stabiliser and agent to promote the adhesion of foam to glass.
• Used as a clarity stabiliser in the chemical treatment of wines.
• Gum syrup or gum is widely used by professional bartenders in preparing cocktails. It is essentially sugar water with the addition of gum arabic for extra body and a pleasing “mouth feel”.