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Are guarana and guar gum from the same plant?

Both guarana and guar gum are additives commonly used in the food industry in view of the important properties they have. However, they do not come from the same plant.

Guarana is the pure seed of the Paullinia cupana vine - a climbing shrub found in isolated areas of the Amazon rainforest. The seed is about the size of a pea, looks like a brown pebble and has a slightly bitter taste. When dried and ground to a powder, it is mixed into drinks. Guarana is believed to possess a curative property against bowel complaints and it is also a way to regain strength. The main ingredient of guarana is guaranine, which is chemically identical to caffeine. This is the reason for the energy boost people get after taking guarana. In the food industry, commercial guarana is mainly used as a flavour/taste source to prepare several soft drinks among other products.

Guar gum (E412), on the other hand, is extracted from the seed of the leguminous shrub Cyamopsis tetragonoloba , where it acts as a food and water store. Guar gum is used as a thickener and stabilizer in foods due to its uniform texture as well as gel forming properties. It can be used in sauces, ice creams and sorbets, bakery and pastry products, powders, etc.