Moroccan Arabic: المسكة الحرة
Gum arabic (meska or meska harra in Moroccan Arabic) is used as a stabilizer, thickener and binder. A natural gum, it's actually the hardened sap of the Acacia senegal or Acacia seyal tree which is common to sub-Sahara Africa as well as Arabia, Egypt and West Asia.
Gum arabic is often confused with mastic (in Arabic mastekah), the hardened resin from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). The two look very similar, but mastic has more aroma and releases flavor when chewed, while gum arabic is odorless and with very little taste. In Moroccan recipes, small amounts of mastic and gum arabic may be substituted for each other.
Culinary Uses of Gum Arabic
Gum arabic is used in the making of confections, soft drinks, food flavorings, food sweeteners and more. It or mastic can be found in tiny amounts in some Moroccan recipes such as Chebakia and Sellou. The small grains are added to 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon of sugar and then ground to a powder with the back of a spoon or with a pestle and mortar. (The sugar prevents the gum arabic from sticking as it's crushed.)
Non-Culinary and Medicinal Uses of Gum Arabic
Non-culinary uses of gum arabic include the production of fireworks, paints, ink, glue, ceramic glazes, textiles, cosmetics and more. In traditional medicine, gum arabic has been used to treat sore throats, stomach and intestinal problems, kidney ailments, eye problems and other disorders.
