Gum arabic (hashab)
The dried sap of the hashab acacia (Acacia/Senegalia senegal) — Sudan supplies roughly 70–80% of the world's gum arabic; a natural emulsifier and stabiliser in food and drink.
History and culture
A strategic Sudanese export for over a century, gum arabic is so vital to global industry that the United States exempted it from trade sanctions on Sudan in the 1990s. It binds and stabilises soft drinks, confectionery, pharmaceuticals and inks worldwide; most of the crop comes from the Kordofan and Darfur gum belt.
Culinary uses
Emulsifier in soft drinks and confectionery, traditional tonic, calligraphy ink binder.