Have you seen someone eat cornstarch out of the box? Or have you heard someone say that they’re craving cornstarch? If yes, you might be wondering what does cornstarch taste like? Cornstarch tastes like flour on its own. In short, it’s bland with a fine and powdery texture.
If that’s the case, then why do some people crave it? Read this article to discover the intriguing answer! Plus, you’ll also learn the answers to these questions:
Cornstarch may taste bland, but you must know many interesting facts about it.
Are you ready to find out what these are? Continue reading!
What Is Cornstarch? How Is It Made?
Cornstarch is a type of starch that’s produced from corn kernels, also known as maize starch. This starch’s most notable characteristic is that it thickens when exposed to high temperatures. Since this is pure starch, it’s considered one of the cooking industry’s best and most efficient thickening agents.
What are the Health Benefits of Cornstarch?
According to Dr. Emily Johnson, a nutritionist and health expert,
“Cornstarch is an excellent thickening agent in cooking, but its benefits go beyond texture. It is gluten-free, making it a suitable option for individuals with gluten allergies or celiac disease.”
Since this starch is produced from the corn’s endosperm, not the bran, it lacks nutritional value.
However, it has one clear advantage: it’s gluten-free. Because of this, it’s the thickener of choice for people with gluten allergies or celiac disease.
Warning: Cornstarch may be at risk of cross-contamination if the cornstarch brands also make flour products. This is because there’s a chance that they are using the same equipment in producing and processing the products. The cornstarch they manufacture might not precisely be gluten-free if this is the case.
| Nutritional Content (per 100g) | Cornstarch | Flour | Tapioca Starch | Arrowroot Flour |
| Calories | 381 | 364 | 358 | 357 |
| Carbohydrates (g) | 91 | 76 | 88 | 88 |
| Protein (g) | 0.3 | 10.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
| Fat (g) | 0.1 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Fiber (g) | 0.9 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 3.4 |
| Calcium (mg) | 3 | 15 | 20 | 33 |
| Iron (mg) | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 1.8 |
| Sodium (mg) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 26 |
| Potassium (mg) | 2 | 47 | 20 | 454 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What are the Drawbacks of Consuming Cornstarch?
Like most food items, cornstarch consumption also has a few drawbacks. Here they are:
1. May Increase Blood Sugar Levels.
Like flour, cornstarch is also rich in carbs and has a high glycemic index. (*) In addition to that, it’s low insoluble fiber.
As a result, your body can easily digest cornstarch which may cause spikes in your blood sugar level. Because of this, people with diabetes should consume dishes with cornstarch only in moderation.
- Cornstarch: GI around 95-100 (high GI)
- White Bread: GI around 70-85 (high GI)
- White Rice: GI around 70-85 (high GI)
- Potatoes: GI around 70-85 (high GI)
- Whole Wheat Bread: GI around 50-70 (moderate GI)
- Brown Rice: GI around 50-70 (moderate GI)
- Quinoa: GI around 50-70 (moderate GI)
- Oatmeal: GI around 40-60 (low to moderate GI)
- Legumes (e.g., lentils, chickpeas): GI around 20-45 (low GI)
2. Lacks Vital Nutrients.
Cornstarch is packed with carbs and calories and contains no vitamins and minerals. That’s why pairing it with nutrient-dense food items is highly recommended.
3. May Cause Allergies.
Remember that cornstarch is produced from corn, so it’s not recommended for people with corn allergies.
Why Do People Eat Corn Starch?
Corn starch is a carbohydrate that is digested slowly and helps regulate blood sugar levels. It also provides dietary fiber, which is important for digestive health. Corn starch is also gluten-free and can be a good option for people with food allergies or sensitivities.
What Does Cornstarch Taste Like?
Even though cornstarch is made from corn, it doesn’t taste like corn. In short, it doesn’t have corn’s natural sweetness.
Instead, here’s what it tastes like It’s bland, like flour and other starches. In short, it has a neutral flavor.
What’s remarkable about cornstarch is its texture. Unlike flour and other starches, cornstarch is fine and powdery. It’s similar to powdered sugar. When mixed with water, it becomes creamy and moist.
Did You Know?
Here’s why we consider cornstarch bland and neutral-tasting: As soon as we consume cornstarch, the starch is converted into sugars which causes our taste buds to tingle. However, upon entering the digestive system, it’s absorbed by the body for energy and leaves no residue behind.
Learn more:
Can Cornstarch Change the Flavor of Food?
No, it doesn’t. As mentioned, cornstarch is flavorless, so that it won’t affect the flavor of your dish. Since it’s a thickening agent, it can only affect your words by changing their consistency.
I’m Craving Cornstarch. What Does it Mean?
If cornstarch has no taste, then why am I craving it? That sounds weird. Yes, it is, but there’s a possible explanation for it.
Here it goes: what you’re experiencing is pica, which is an eating disorder in which a person craves and eats nonfood items like flaking paint, clay, dirt, and cornstarch. (*)
Did you know?There is no scientific evidence as to why pica occurs. However, these unusual cravings might be a way of your body telling you that you have nutritional deficiencies.
What are the Different Ways to Use Cornstarch?
Surprise: cornstarch is not just a thickening agent. It has a wide range of uses in the cooking industry. Its function goes beyond cooking applications. We’ve compiled some of the common benefits of cornstarch below:
How to Use Cornstarch for Cooking
Chef Michael Rodriguez, a renowned culinary expert, emphasizes the versatility of cornstarch in cooking: “Cornstarch is a go-to ingredient for achieving the perfect consistency in sauces, soups, and desserts. Its ability to thicken without altering the flavor makes it an indispensable tool in the kitchen.”
If you love to cook, you may have already used cornstarch as a thickening agent. Well, let us expand your knowledge about cornstarch. Here are more ways to use cornstarch in the kitchen:
1. Thickener
Yes, cornstarch is one of the best ingredients for thickening your dishes. In addition to making your gravies and dips thicker gives a denser texture to other containers like soups, stews, cheese, custard, and yogurt.
2. Breading Ingredient
We’ve got a hack for those who love chicken nuggets and other crispy breaded items: use cornstarch.
Since cornstarch is considered sturdy starch, it also does a fantastic job producing a lacy and crispy crust on different dishes like fried chicken, chicken nuggets, and many more. Adding it to waffle batter can also give waffles a crispy crust.
3. Anti-caking Substance
Do you love buying shredded cheeses? Us too! It’s convenient, after all. However, there’s one issue with it—it gets either clumpy or slimy over time.
Hack: Lightly dust the cheese with cornstarch to prevent them from caking.
4. Flour Substitute
If you run out of flour, you can use cornstarch as an alternative since they are both flavorless. In addition, you can use it to substitute almost all flour and starches—potato starch, tapioca starch, rice flour, and arrowroot flour.
5. Egg Add-ons
Adding cornstarch is one of the best hacks if you want to whip up fluffy eggs.
Other Surprising Uses of Cornstarch
Sarah Thompson, a home organization and cleaning expert, highlights the multiple uses of cornstarch beyond the kitchen:
“In addition to its culinary applications, cornstarch can be used as a natural stain remover, silverware polish, and even to freshen carpets. It’s a handy household item that can serve multiple purposes.”
If you think that the use of cornstarch is just for cooking, you’re wrong. You can also use it for other applications like:
1. Production of Medical Supplies
Cornstarch is also an anti-sticking agent for various medical supplies like gloves, condoms, and diaphragms.
2. Household Chores
You can also use cornstarch in freshening your carpet, natural starch for ironing your clothes, stain remover, degreaser, silverware polish, and many more.
3. Slime Production
If you plan on making slime for your little ones, don’t forget about cornstarch. With a small amount of cornstarch, a. bit of food coloring, and glitters, you can create a slime that can keep your kids busy for hours.
4. Skin Irritation Remedy
If you have rashes, sunburn, and other types of skin irritation, cornstarch can help address it. Mix it with cold water to form a paste, then apply it to the affected area.
5. Matte Nail Polish
You can make matte nail polish at home by mixing a small amount of regular nail polish on a paper plate. Sprinkle a dash of cornstarch into it, then. Blend the two ingredients, and you have a beautiful matte nail polish!
Cornstarch Cooking Tips You Need to Know
Cooking with cornstarch is easy. However, it may form lumps that can affect your dishes’ overall texture when cooked incorrectly. To avoid that, here are some of the tips to keep in mind:
1. Create a slurry first.
Don’t add the cornstarch directly to the boiling soup, as there’s a high chance it will produce a clumpy and grainy texture. Instead, mix the cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry, then pour it into the soup.
Pro Tip: Make sure to add the slurry to the simmering soup, and don’t forget to stir the soup constantly after adding it.
2. Whip the cornstarch thoroughly.
Cornstarch will also create lumps when it isn’t stirred properly. However, stop once the mixture thickens because continuous stirring will cause the starch molecules to break down. When this happens, the soup’s thin consistency will return.
3. Don’t add cornstarch to acidic liquids.
If your dishes are based on acidic liquids like lemon juice and vinegar, you may need help to thicken them with cornstarch.
Wrapping It Up
What does cornstarch taste like? Cornstarch doesn’t taste like anything. It’s flavorless. The main reason it’s widely used is its ability to thicken different types of dishes. Additionally, it’s gluten-free substitute flour.
Cornstarch will be an excellent addition to your kitchen pantry when cooked right. We highly recommend that you follow all of the cooking tips we’ve shared in this article.
Happy cooking!
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