Abstract: A method of removing gums which cannot be removed by simple water degumming from plant oils having the following steps:(a) adding to a plant oil containing gum substances not hydratable with water and wax substances, substantially 0.01 to 0.08% of a food acid or an acid anhydride of a food acid in a 5 to 15% solution thereof at a temperature of 20.degree. to 70.degree. C., intimately mixing the oil and the solution and causing the oil and the solution to remain in contact for a contact time in excess of 5 minutes with slow stirring;(b) to a mixture formed in step (a) adding a 1 to 5% solution of a base at a temperature of 10.degree. to 40.degree. C.