(Specifically for royal icing sugar art and very delicate lace pieces): Which of these gums would give me the most strength as an additive? What are the differences between the gums? Thanks in advance for all the great help I've received here!

By Mikeh (Mikeh) on Tuesday, February 15, 2000 - 01:46 am: Edit

Emily,

I don't know if there is a difference in strength between the two, but I can tell you that there is a big difference in price, with tragacanth being much more expensive -- $70/# in large volumes, as much as $8/oz in small. I use tragacanth in gumpaste, and I use gum arabic in royal icing or mixed with water to form a glue for my gumpaste.