function of acacia gum in candy
Many hard candies are made with gum arabic, which helps prevent the candy from sticking to the teeth and promotes a longer-lasting treat, according to Francis Thevenet in the book Food Stabilisers, Thickeners and Gelling Agents. Gum arabic is often used in soft-molded candies, such as gum drops, and chewy varieties of candy as well. Sugar-free hard candies and low-fat ice cream can also be made with gum arabic.
A food additive made from the sap of the acacia tree, gum arabic, also called acacia gum, is harvested from wild trees in the Middle East as well as parts of Africa and west Asia. Gum arabic is added to a wide variety of foods, acting as a stabilizer to help bind the foods together, and when used in larger quantities can be a source of soluble fiber.