What is the difference between guar gum and xanthan gum?

Both xanthan gum and guar gum are used in gluten-free baking to help mimic the structure traditionally provided by gluten (protein) in wheat flour. They add viscosity, and really help keep the baked goods together (binding), as well as preventing them from drying out too quickly.Feb 23, 2010 read more

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. Guar gum is made from a seed native to tropical Asia, while xanthan gum is made by a micro organism called Xanthomonas Campestris. read more

Guar gum is also more affordable than xanthan gum, which can be up to triple the price. Since guar is derived from legume seeds, it contains more soluble fiber than corn-based xanthan gum, making it a healthier alternative. Xanthan and guar have separate potential side effects. read more

Guar Gum. Guar gum is made from the ground endosperm of the guar bean. Once the seeds are dehusked and ground, they are sieved to obtain the guar gum, which is a whitish powder. Guar gum is also a hydrocolloid and is a polysaccharide composed of sugars called mannose and galactose. read more