Xanthan gum is a very common food additive, and you will see it popping up in all kinds of dishes. In this article, we will explore what xanthan gum is, what it tastes like, why it is used, and more!

What is Xanthan Gum?

Xanthan Gum is a food additive used as a thickening agent and stops ingredients from separating. Xanthan gum is an artificial polysaccharide made by taking glucose and sucrose, fermenting it, and adding bacteria. Xanthan gum is found in a variety of foods, including: 

• Salad dressing
• Sauce
• Fruit juice
• Soup
• Syrups
• Gluten-free products

Xanthan gum was discovered in the 1960s in the US and started being used regularly in the late 60s in various products such as ice cream, toothpaste, and confectionery. Xanthan gum is an effective emulsifier and keeps the texture of food uniform.

Is xanthan gum natural? Xanthan gum is not natural as it does not occur naturally in the environment. To produce xanthan gum, you need to extract glucose or sucrose, ferment it and add bacteria.

If you are on an organic and natural food diet, you should avoid xanthan gum. Xanthan gum was originally manufactured in a research lab after scientists were trying to discover new industrial gums. This gum is not a naturally occurring substance and requires sucrose or glucose to be fermented.

What Does Xanthan Gum Taste Like?

Xanthan gum is completely tasteless. Xanthan gum is used in such small quantities that it does not alter the flavor of any food. However, people who are particularly sensitive to this food additive have complained of chemical aftertaste.

One of the reasons xanthan gum is such a popular food additive is because it is flavorless. Xanthan gum does not change the taste of any food or dish it is added to. People who claim xanthan gum has a flavor are likely just tasting other ingredients or imagining a taste that does not exist!

What happens if you add too much xanthan gum? If you add too much xanthan gum, your food will become very slimy and sticky. You may also notice a chemical aftertaste. Xanthan gum is powerful, and you only need to add a tiny amount to your dishes.

Even if you add too much xanthan gum, it is unlikely to ruin the taste of your dish. However, it will mess up the texture of your food. Adding too much xanthan gum causes your food to have a very unpleasant slimy and sticky texture which will glue to your mouth. You should always err on the side of caution when adding xanthan gum.

Does xanthan gum have a weird taste? Xanthan gum should not have a weird taste and be completely flavorless. Typically, you only use a tiny amount of xanthan gum which has no impact on the flavor profile of your dish. Also, the compound is designed to be tasteless.

Even though xanthan gum is made from fermented glucose or sucrose with some extra added bacteria, it does not taste weird. The reason why xanthan gum has been used so much is that it does not change food flavor.

Does xanthan gum have an aftertaste? Xanthan gum should have no aftertaste at all. However, it can leave a slimy mouth feel if you use too much. Also, if you are very sensitive to xanthan gum, you may experience a chemical aftertaste.

Xanthan gum should not have an aftertaste and should not affect the taste of your food. Xanthan gum can cause your food to have a gummy, sticky, and slimy aftertaste. This only happens if you use too much xanthan gum.

See also: What Does MSG (Glutamic Acid) Taste Like?

Xanthan Gum Safety and Health Concerns

Food additives can range from completely safe to downright dangerous. Where does xanthan gum fall on that spectrum? Let’s find out!

Is xanthan gum safe? Xanthan gum is considered safe up to 15 grams per day. Xanthan gum can cause your stomach to bloat and inflammation. This food additive can also result in sweats, muscle aches, nose and throat pain.

Most people can consume the mild amount of xanthan gum used in food without any problems. However, people who are sensitive to this popular food additive may suffer gut problems, including bloating and stomach pain, as well as general inflammation. To avoid these problems, it is best to avoid foods that contain xanthan gum and stick to fresh organic produce.

Is xanthan gum bad for your gut? Xanthan gum can be bad for your gut and cause stomach pain and bloating. The more xanthan gum you consume, the more likely you are to suffer gut issues. However, most people can consume xanthan gum without any gut complications. 

If you have a sensitive gut, we recommend avoiding xanthan gum. Even though only amounts of xanthan gum are used in food, if you are regularly exposed to this food additive, it can cause serious problems to your gut. To keep your stomach healthy, stick to fresh organic food and leave things with nasty food additives alone.

Is xanthan gum inflammatory? Xanthan gum is inflammatory! Recent research has shown that continued ingestion of xanthan gum does trigger inflammation and cytokine production, particularly in adipose tissue.

Are you sensitive to inflammation? Then check the label for xanthan gum! Xanthan gum can trigger inflammation and should not be consumed by people who have inflammatory tissues. This food additive can be very inflammatory if you have a sensitive gut or are overweight.

Is xanthan gum vegan? Xanthan gum is vegan because it is made from fermented sugar and bacteria. Xanthan gum does not contain any animal products and is made ethically. 

Good news! If you are vegan, you don’t have to abandon foods that contain xanthan gum! Xanthan gum is made from fermented sugar and bacteria and does contain any animal products. You can enjoy foods with xanthan gum guilt-free.

Is xanthan gum halal? Xanthan gum is 100% halal! Xanthan gum is made from fermented sugar and bacteria. It does not contain animal products or alcohol.

Muslims can enjoy foods that contain xanthan gum. Even though alcohol is used in the maxing process to separate the gum, xanthan gum itself does not contain alcohol and is halal.

Is xanthan gum made from pork? Xanthan gum is not made from pork or any animal products. Xanthan gum is made from sucrose or glucose, which is then fermented and made with bacteria.

If you thought xanthan gum was made from pork, you are probably confusing it with gelatin. Xanthan gum is only made from sugar and is completely animal-free!

Final Thoughts

Xanthan gum is an additive used in all kinds of food, from salad dressing to sauce to ice cream to gluten-free pasta. Xanthan gum is very effective at thickening sauces and keeping ingredients together, and helping food maintain its texture. Xanthan gum has zero taste, a mild yeasty smell, and does not change food flavor. If you use too much xanthan gum, it can alter your food’s texture, causing it to become sticky and slimy.