Cornstarch is a common kitchen find that is made of the starch of corn kennels. It is used as a thickening agent for gravies and soups. It is also used for various other DIY purposes as well. In this blog, Webhunting will help you figure out what cornstarch is and how it can be used for different purposes.
Uses of Cornstarch
- Cornstarch can be a practical and inexpensive remedy for skin irritation. Many people use it to soothe sunburns and relieve itching skin.
- If you don’t have deodorant or want a homemade alternative, you can try cornstarch. Thanks to its moisture-absorbing properties, it acts as a natural deodorant and reduces sweat and odor.
- You can also use cornstarch as a natural dry shampoo for your hair. Simply sprinkle a small amount onto the roots of your hair and gently brush through to the ends. You’ll see the oils visibly disappear.
- To make matte nail polish, place a few drops of nail polish on a plate and sprinkle a small amount of cornstarch on top.
- If you’re looking for a natural starch to iron your clothes, mix warm water and cornstarch in a spray bottle. Spray it on and leave it on for 1 minute before ironing.
Is Cornstarch Good for Health?
Cornstarch can be good for you for a variety of reasons. It helps in increasing the viscosity of food items that makes it easier for people with dysphagia to swallow. The increase in the thickness makes gulping far easier. It is, however, important to note that cornstarch can lead to a sense of fullness because of its high carb content and lead to a loss of appetite.
Cornstarch is also a substitute of refined flour for those who are allergic to gluten. It is also useful for people who are allergic to flour or have celiac disease.
Cornstarch also has a high carbohydrate index and is low in fiber. This results in accelerated digestion and sugar’s assimilation in the bloodstream gets decreased, which, then, increases blood sugar levels.
Alternatives of cornstarch include arrowroot flour and potato starch. They are gluten free and a good thickening agent, and thus, can be used as a replacement.
Nutritional Value of Cornstarch
- Calories: 381 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 91.3 g
- Fat: 0.05 g
- Phosphorous: 13 mg
- Fibre: 0.9 g
- Protein: 0.26 g
- Calcium: 2 mg
- Sodium: 9 mg
How to stop Cornstarch from clumping?
- Add double the amount of water to the cornstarch and mix with a fork or whisk until a smooth, lump-free consistency is formed.
- Pour this mixture into your mixture. You can also mix cornstarch and water in a jar.
- Screw on the cap and shake the bottle vigorously until well mixed and free of lumps.
If you feel like the consistency is still off, you can add more water and mix it. If you don’t want to add more liquid to your sauce, you can use a fine-mesh sieve to separate the cornstarch powder from the sauce.Slowly sift about a teaspoon of cornstarch through the sieve. No lumps will remain and you would not need to add more liquid.
How long does cornstarch last?
Cornstarch has an indefinite shelf life. Since there is no moisture content in the powder, cornstarch is less likely to go bad. However, if bugs find a way to get it, it may get contaminated and end up unfit for usage.
Cornstarch vs Flour
Cornstarch is a great gluten-free option for thickening flour in sauces or gravy recipes. Additionally, it is often used as a thickener instead of flour because the resulting gel is clear rather than opaque. It also has a more delicate flavor and almost twice the thickening prowess.
Flour and cornstarch can be used interchangeably for fried food items. However, you wouldn’t use the same amount of cornstarch as flour. Since cornstarch is a stronger thickener than flour, you’ll need less in comparison. In fact, you only need half the cornstarch for the flour called for in your recipe. It is also generally tasteless. Flour, however, is generally stronger and sweeter and has an earthy taste.
Culinary recipes with Cornstarch
1. Baked cookies
Replace eggs with a mix of one tablespoon of cornstarch and three tablespoons of warm water. Cream together your sugar, butter and vanilla and mix with flour and other ingredients. Your cookies will turn out just as soft as those with eggs.
2. Omelets
Adding cornstarch to your omelet mix can make them fluffier. Just add some to your eggs and butter your pan and pour in the mixture. Sprinkle veggies or spices of your choice and enjoy!
3. Waffles
Mixing cornstarch to your waffle batter will prevent your waffles from getting soggy and make it more on the toastier side. Add 3-4 tablespoons of cornstarch to two cups of waffle mix and make it like you normally do. You’ll see the difference right there.
Where to get Cornstarch?
You can easily find organic or gluten-free cornstarch on iHerb. iHerb has been in the market for more than two decades now and has quality and reliable products that have been checked for quality assurance. Some products you can find are-
1. Bob’s Red Mill
- Package quantity of the Cornstarch- 510.29g
- Gluten free cornstarch
2. Edward & Sons Let’s Do Organic Cornstarch
- Total weight- 200g, Product weight- 6oz (170g)
- Organic cornstarch with no harmful ingredients.
3. Frontier Co-op, Organic Cornstarch
- Package Quantity: 453.59 g
- Certified organic cornstarch with no additives
- No fat value, including saturated fat
4. Caldesene, Baby, Cornstarch Powder
- Package Quantity: 141.75 g
- Infused with zinc oxide
- Also has ample quantities of aloe and chamomile to soothe the skin.
- Works against diaper rash and chaffed skin
Conclusion
Cornstarch is a great way to thicken your gravies guilt free. It is free of allergens like gluten and has practically no nutritional value. All it is, is starch. It may not have copious amounts of vitamins and minerals but it is a great option for those who have gluten allergy or celiac disease. It has more than culinary uses and can be used for DIY personal care too. Webhunting has enlisted many ways in which you can use cornstarch for yourself. Head over to iHerb’s website and get organic and certified cornstarch with no extra additives that may harm you.
