Gum Arabic from A. senegal is a pale white to orange-brown solid,
which breaks with a glassy fracture. The best grades are in the
form of whole, spheroidal tears of varying size with a matte
surface texture. When ground, the pieces are paler and have a
glassy appearance. Gum from other acacia species may not have the
characteristic tear shape and are often darker in colour. Gum from
A. seyal is more brittle than the hard tears of A. senegal. Gum
arabic is also available commercially in the form of white to
yellowish-white flakes, granules, powder, roller-dried, or
spray-dried material.
