What is Corn Starch?

Cornstarch, also known as corn flour, is a carbohydrate extract derived from the endosperm of corn. It’s a powder used worldwide, especially in North America and Asia, for a wide range of culinary, domestic, and industrial purposes. As a food ingredient, corn starch is commonly used in countless continental and native recipes, including soups, gravies, marinades, casseroles, desserts, and lots more. Cornstarch contains long chains of starch molecules which inflate and bulge when heated in a moist environment. The inflation triggers gelatinisation, which results in thickened textures. It also has excellent absorption qualities that help minimise watery or runny textures in food. Cornstarch is a pure form of corn’s carbohydrate. It’s devoid of proteins or other nutritional contents. Hence, it’s a great gluten-free alternative to flour as a thickener in recipes like soups, gravies, and sauces. Besides being gluten-free, it’s also an excellent alternative to flour thickeners because it forms a transparent rather than an opaque gel. It also provides twice as much thickness and is relatively flavourless.

The Uses of Corn Starch:

Cornstarch is usually used with flour in fried or baked food batters such as cakes to create a perfect blend of crispy, crumbly textures. Corn starch is often paired with non-wheat flour in gluten-free recipes. Cornstarch is also widely used in desserts. The ingredient used to coat fruits before baking in pies, tarts, and other desserts. Its high-absorption capacity thickens the fruit juices as they cook, preventing the desserts from turning out watery or runny. Cornstarch is often used as an anti-caking agent. Its thickening properties can help prevent shredded cheese that’s dusted thinly with it from clumping in a package. Cornstarch’s high absorption capacity also helps prevent condensation, which can lead to a slimy texture in packaged foods. It’s helpful for this purpose when used in combination with powdered sugar.