🥒 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 industry.
🌿 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)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 16–35 kcal |
| Protein | 1.9–3 g |
| Fibre | 3.2–3.7 g |
| Calcium | 130–156 mg |
| Iron | 1.0–3.96 mg |
| Vitamin C | 2.3–49 mg |
| Folate | 33 µg |
| Potassium | ~260 mg |
💚 Health Benefits
- Digestive health: High fibre aids bowel movement and gut detox
- Diabetes support: Low glycemic index; helps regulate blood sugar
- 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
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