A flux and a
solder paste capable of minimizing the time-dependent changes in
viscosity when stored at 30°C and minimizing the coloration of flux residues while having favorable reflow properties and favorable
cleanability of flux residues are provided. As such a flux, a flux containing a
rosin, a thixotropic agent, an activator, and a
solvent is adopted. The
rosin includes one or more selected from the group consisting of an acid-modified
rosin, a hydrogenated rosin, and an acid-modified hydrogenated rosin, and the thixotropic agent includes a compound represented by General Formula (1). In General Formula (1), R11 and R12 each independently represent a
hydrocarbon group which has 1 to 3 carbon atoms and may have a
substituent, or a
single bond. R21 and R22 each independently represent a
hydrocarbon group which has 7 to 29 carbon atoms and may have a
substituent. R13 represents a
substituent, n represents an integer of 0 to 4.