What is Hevea brasiliensis?
Hevea brasiliensis is the rubber tree — the primary source of natural latex used in Gudgumz products. It is grown across Kerala's rubber belt and tapped by hand for its milky sap.
Hevea thrives in tropical climates with high rainfall. In Kerala, trees are managed as a crop and tapped on a regular schedule. The white latex sap flows from shallow cuts in the bark into collection cups.
A mature tree can produce useful latex for decades. In the Kerala rubber belt around Kottayam, small-holder farmers and estates supply the raw material that becomes our grow bags, boots, gloves, and sanitary socks.
