Arabic Gum (Char Goond)

Char Goond, also known as Gum Arabic, is a natural resin collected from Acacia trees growing across the Sahel region of Africa. This versatile gum has a long history of use in both culinary traditions and various practical applications.

In cooking, Char Goond is valued for its neutral flavor and excellent binding, thickening, and stabilizing properties. It’s a common ingredient in sweets, beverages, and traditional Indian desserts, where it adds texture without affecting taste. Its ability to dissolve easily makes it useful in syrups, coatings, and confectionery work.

Char Goond is also known for its health-related uses. It contains soluble fiber, supports digestion, and has been used traditionally for gut health. Its mild prebiotic qualities and gentle effect on the stomach make it a functional ingredient in many wellness preparations.

Outside the kitchen, Char Goond appears in pharmaceuticals as a binder, in cosmetics for its soothing qualities, and in art materials as a natural binder for pigments.

Botanical Name: Acacia senegal
Also known as: Gum Arabic, Acacia Gum, Indian Gum, Senegal Gum, Meska, Gond Kikar, صمغ عربي, चार गोंद, Gummi Arabicum