Guar Phalli
As a child, I thought cluster beans were punishment food. Their slight bitterness, the fibrous bite—it all felt too grown-up for my sugar-loving palate. But my grandmom would make them every week, unfazed by our protests. “Bitter is good,” she’d say, “it keeps your stomach strong.” She’d cook them with just enough oil, carom seeds, and patience, letting them soften and darken till they almost melted into the masala
—- Srinjit Venkatesh, Tamil Nadu
What is it?
Cluster bean, commonly known as guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) in most parts of India, is an annual legume, which means it is grown and harvested within a single season and must be replanted each year. It is cultivated widely for its diverse applications, including vegetable consumption, fodder production, green manure, and industrial gum extraction. Native to arid and semi-arid regions, it is primarily grown in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Myanmar, parts of Central Africa, and the arid southwestern United States, with India accounting for nearly 80 percent of the global production. Its deep root system makes it highly drought-tolerant, enabling it to thrive in conditions where water is scarce.The tender green pods are commonly consumed as a vegetable in many Indian households, while the plant also provides high-protein green fodder for livestock. Industrially, guar seeds are processed to produce guar gum, which is used extensively in the food, textile, and oil industries.
What other names does it have?
Botanical Name: Cyamopsis tetragonoloba
Regional Names: Gavar (Hindi), Goruchikkudu (Telugu), Chavalikayi (Kannada), Koththavarangaay (Tamil), and Guvar (Gujarati)
When is it in season?
Where is it found?
Cluster bean exhibits specific climatic and soil requirements that are critical for optimal growth and productivity. The ideal temperature for germination ranges between 30°C to 35°C, while vegetative growth is promoted at temperatures between 32°C and 38°C. However, elevated temperatures during the flowering stage may negatively affect the crop, as it is both photosensitive and indeterminate in nature.
Additionally, high atmospheric humidity increases the crop’s vulnerability to various diseases, including bacterial leaf blight and root rot. Cluster beans thrive best in medium-to-light-textured soils with a pH range of 7.0 to 8.5. Waterlogging adversely affects plant development, and thus well-drained soils are essential. Heavy loam soils and regions with excessive moisture are generally unsuitable for the successful cultivation of this drought-tolerant crop.
What is its history/cultural significance?
Cluster bean, commonly known as guar, holds notable cultural, social, and economic significance in India, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, where it is a traditional kharif season crop. Cultivated predominantly under rainfed conditions, guar has become deeply embedded in local agricultural practices and regional food systems due to its resilience to high temperatures, drought tolerance, and adaptability to erratic monsoons. These traits have made it a staple in communities that rely on hardy crops for sustenance and livelihood security.
Beyond its role as a source of food and fodder, guar farming supports rural economies through the production of guar gum, a commercially valuable product with global industrial applications in the oil and gas sectors, according to this article. Beyond its resilience, guar contributes to sustainable farming practices through its ability to perform biological nitrogen fixation. In symbiotic association with soil bacteria such as Rhizobium species, guar roots develop nodules that enrich the soil by converting atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby improving soil fertility without the need for synthetic fertilisers.
How can you use it?
Before cooking cluster beans it is important to string the beans—snap off the ends and pull downward to remove the tough fibres running along the sides. They’re typically chopped small and cooked until tender, often with spices like ajwain (carom seeds), hing (asafoetida), and a touch of jaggery to balance the bitterness. In many Indian homes, they are stir-fried with potatoes, simmered in tomato-onion masala, or slow-cooked with besan.
What states can I find it in?
What parts of the plant are edible?
Leaves, pods, seeds
Is it nutritious?
A nutrient-dense legume, cluster beans are low in calories and fat while being rich in dietary fibre, protein, calcium (130 mg/100g), iron (1–2 mg/100g), and vitamin C (50–60 mg/100g), making them beneficial for digestive health and overall nutrition. Source
How do you store it?
Cluster beans should be stored in a perforated plastic bag or an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they stay fresh for up to 5–7 days.
Recipes
Goruchikkudu Recipe by Swasthi’s Recipes
Cluster Bean Pickle Recipe by Kavita’s Food Club
‘Know Your Desi Ingredients’ is an ever-expanding repository of knowledge for ingredients that are native to the Indian subcontinent and adapted into the mainstream culinary narratives of people, places, and cultures across India. If you would like to share more information about the write-ups featured here, send us an email at connect@thelocavore.in with your inputs and any verified sources we should look into.
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