Description

🥒 Cluster beans, also known as guar beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), are a nutrient-rich legume native to India and widely cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions. They’re valued both as a vegetable and as the source of guar gum, a natural thickening agent used in food and industry2.

🌿 Botanical & Agricultural Profile

• Family: Fabaceae (legume family)
• Growth habit: Upright annual plant, 2–3 meters tall
• Climate: Thrives in hot, dry conditions with moderate rainfall
• Soil: Prefers sandy loam, well-drained, pH 7–8
• Nitrogen fixer: Improves soil fertility through symbiosis with rhizobia bacteria

🧪 Nutritional Highlights (per 100g)

💚 Health Benefits

• Digestive health: High fibre aids bowel movement and gut detox
• Diabetes support: Low glycemic index; helps regulate blood sugar3
• Heart health: Fibre and potassium help lower cholesterol and blood pressure
• Bone strength: Rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin K
• Pregnancy nutrition: Folate and iron support fetal development
• Weight management: Low in calories, high in satiety

🍽️ Culinary Uses

• Stir-fries & curries: Often cooked with spices, onions, and coconut
• Dal combinations: Paired with moong dal for added protein
• Pickled or sautéed: Popular in Andhra, Gujarati, and Rajasthani cuisines
• Guar gum: Extracted from seeds for use in ice cream, sauces, and baked goods

🧑‍🌾 Growing Tips (India-friendly)

• Sowing time: June–July (monsoon) or February–March
• Spacing: 45–60 cm rows; 20–30 cm between plants
• Harvest: 60–90 days after sowing; pick when pods are green and tender