India has long been recognized as a dominant force in the guar and guar gum industry on a global scale. Guar, natively grown on the Indian subcontinent, is primarily cultivated in India and Pakistan, with additional farming taking place in the United States, and parts of Africa and Australia.

Historical Context and Modern Uses

Historically, guar was utilized predominantly as a rich protein source for cattle feed and as a green vegetable in India. However, its role evolved significantly post-World War II due to a major shortage of locust bean gum, which impacted the textile and paper industries severely. During this time, guar gum emerged as an excellent substitute for the scarce locust bean gum, leading to its increased prominence and utilization in various industries.

By 1953, the extraction technology of guar gum had been commercialized in the USA, and a decade later, it followed in India, marking a significant advancement in its production and application.

Guar Plant Characteristics

The guar plant, scientifically known as 'Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba', is an annual legume that not only serves as an important source of nutrition for humans and animals but also plays a crucial role in regenerating soil nitrogen. The endosperm of the guar seed, which is a key hydrocolloid, finds widespread usage across a broad spectrum of industries due to its gelling properties.

Thriving in drought-resistant and semi-arid regions, the guar plant is well-suited to the sandy soils of West and Northwest India and parts of Pakistan. These regions are also the major processing centers for guar gum in India.