Are potato starch and cornstarch interchangeable?
In this article, we will answer the question “Are potato starch and cornstarch interchangeable”? and discuss how potato starch differs from cornstarch?
Are potato starch and cornstarch interchangeable?
Yes, potato starch and cornstarch are interchangeable. Potato starch is the root starch and cornstarch are grain starch and both are interchangeable with some exceptions.
What is cornstarch?
Cornstarch is made from the endosperm of corn. Cornstarch is a colourless, flavourless powdery substance. You can use cornstarch in several recipes. It is used as a thickening agent as it doesn’t affect the flavour of any recipe.
Corn starch has several uses. Cornstarch can be used as a thickening agent and used in soups, pudding and stew. Cornstarch can absorb water and upon heating, its molecule expands. So, you can use it to maintain the consistency and texture of the recipe.
Cornstarch can be used in baked goods and desserts. It can add more texture to baked goods. It will help in binding the ingredients in different recipes and give a chewy and light dessert.
It can also be used in powdery substances like shredded cheese and powdered sugar to absorb water. It helps in preventing lumps and spoiling in powdered food.
Cornstarch can be used in recipes in the form of slurry. First, make a slurry to ensure the even distribution of cornstarch in the recipe. Add a few tablespoons of cornstarch to the cold water to make a paste. Then add this paste into the recipe.
What is potato starch?
Potato starch is made from potatoes by the process of extraction. It is gluten-free and tasteless and can be used in several recipes and has no effect on the flavours of recipes.
Potato starch can be used in soups, pie filling. As it is gluten-free so it can be used in gluten-free baking. Potato starch can be gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free.
Adding potato starch into the hot dish can break the structure of the molecule as a result potato starch is no longer to able absorb water.
How potato starch differs from cornstarch?
Corn starch is the grain starch while potato starch is tuber starch, both have different origins and also have different characteristics, but both can be used interchangeably.
Potato starch made from potatoes by the process of extraction. Potato starch works better at a lower temperature so you can add it to a recipe at the end of cooking. Avoid boiling after adding potato starch to the recipe.
Corn starch can be used at high temperatures, cook it thoroughly to avoid a chalky taste in the recipe. High sugar content and acidity is the main factor that affects corn starch thickening ability.
Which one is better for you?
Potato starch is not digestible as it is resistant starch. Unlike other starches, it has not affected blood sugar or insulin. Potato starch contains a high amount of vitamin B and other nutrients.
Corn starch is not much nutritious as potato starch. It has a small number of minerals and does not have any vitamins.
Can you substitute potato starch for cornstarch?
Potato starch can be used in recipes not going to cook for an extended period. Potato starch can be used interchangeably with cornstarch in soups, pie filling and gravies. If you use cornstarch instead of all-purpose flour as a thickener you should use half a tablespoon for every 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour.
It is important for you to consider the acidity and sugar content of the recipe as the cornstarch work best in dairy products but is not suitable for a recipe that is high in sugar or acidic. You should not use cornflour in the frozen products because it became spongy upon thawing.
You can use cornstarch in the pasta sauce. Don’t use potato starch in the recipe that has elongated cooking time.
You can use both starches in the soups and pie fillings, both have unbelievable baking benefits for your recipe.
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “Are potato starch and cornstarch interchangeable”? and discussed how potato starch differs from cornstarch?
If you have any questions or comments please let us know.
