How do I tell guar gum from xanthan?
I purchased both guar gum and xanthan gum in little unmarked baggies from the bulk section of my local health foods store.
This was months ago and since I foolishly forgot to label them, now I have no idea which is which. How can I tell? Are there any experiments I can do? Taste tests?
One is slightly darker, but that's the only obvious visual difference.
Best Answer
Guar gum has a particular grassy/earthy/beany smell, whereas xanthan gum is much closer to odorless.
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Quick Answer about "How do I tell guar gum from xanthan?"
Xanthan gum tends to help starches combine to trap air, while guar gum helps keep large particles suspended in the mix. One of the differences between the two products is where they come from.What is the difference between xanthan gum and guar gum?
One of the differences between the two products is where they come from. Guar gum is made from a seed native to tropical Asia, while xanthan gum is made by a micro organism called Xanthomonas Camestris that is fed a diet of corn or soy.Is xanthan gum and guar gum interchangeable?
The answer is \u201cyes\u201d. They are pretty much interchangeable, one for one. Many brands of xanthan gum are a derivative of corn (except for Authentic Foods xanthan gum), so those with corn allergies will want to use guar gum in my recipes when I call for xanthan gum.What does xanthan gum look like?
Typical guar gum has a \u201cbeany\u201d or \u201cmealy\u201d odor and taste which can adversely affect finished products.What is Guar Gum \u0026 how to use it (Molecular Ingredient Breakdown)
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