
Everything About Corn Starch: From Its Major Applications to Its Primary Benefits
Introduction
Many businesses, especially those in the food and beverage sector, partner with corn starch wholesalers or suppliers in the Philippines—and there is an excellent reason for that. Corn starch is an incredibly versatile ingredient used to produce various kinds of edible goods.
If you wish to purchase high-quality corn starch at an affordable price, be sure to reach out to us at Wills International Sales Corporation. Our company is a trusted supplier of different ingredients and raw materials, and we distribute our products to every part of the country. Contact us today for more information.
What Is Corn Starch?
Corn starch is a popular additive when baking pastries and cooking certain dishes. It is known for its fine and flour-like texture and is widely used in many households and food businesses. As the name suggests, this ingredient comes from corn, particularly the kernels. Here’s how it is typically manufactured:
- Harvesting and Pre-Processing – The ears of corn are harvested from the plantation. They will then be brought to the facility to have the kernels extracted from the cobs.
- Cleaning – In this stage, the kernels will be thoroughly cleaned to ensure they are sanitary and safe to consume. Dust specks will be removed, along with other external elements.
- Steeping – After cleaning, the kernels will be prepared for the next stage, called “steeping.” It is simply controlled fermentation, which is vital in producing more high-quality starch. In this step, the kernels are placed in large barrels where they are left to soak for about 30 to 48 hours.
- Fine Grinding and Drying – The next step is drying the kernels and grinding them into a fine powder. After that, another round of washing, screening, and drying will be done again.
- Packaging – Once everything is done, the product will then be packed in sacks or other containers. It will then be shipped to warehouses and then distributed to different food and beverage companies to be used for manufacturing their goods.
If you are a company that needs corn starch for your products, be sure to partner only with trusted distributors to ensure the quality of the goods you are procuring. It is also a good idea to find reliable suppliers that offer corn starch wholesale. Doing so is an effective way to save funds, especially if you plan to buy in bulk regularly.
Primary Uses of Corn Starch in the Food Industry
The best thing about corn starch is how versatile it is. It has applications in various fields and sectors, such as paper manufacturing, bioplastic production, and pharmaceutical. However, the primary users of corn starch are food and beverage companies. Here are a few ways the ingredient is utilized in such businesses:
Thickening Agent
Corn starch is denser than flour, so it is often used as a thickening agent. Adding corn starch makes liquid products more viscous, but you should only use the right amount to achieve the right consistency.
Some common products that use corn starch as a thickening agent are gravies, sauces, and stews. The ingredient is popularly used in restaurants. However, some manufacturers of canned goods and other processed foods need corn starch, as well.
Flour Substitute
Another good thing about corn starch is that it can be used as a substitute for flour on certain occasions. When you are frying, for example, you need flour to make the end product crispy and crunchy. If you are out of that ingredient, you can use corn starch in lieu of it.
Corn starch might arguably be a better additive than flour when frying different dishes. Using this ingredient makes sauces and gravies stick to the meat better. In many cases, it helps prevent the dish from becoming too oily, too.
Baking Ingredient
Bakery owners and baked goods manufacturers also need large amounts of corn starch. The ingredient is essential in making different types of desserts, including cakes, brownies, and cookies.
Combining corn starch with flour helps prevent desserts from becoming stiff right after you take them out of the oven. Baked goods that contain the right amount of corn starch are known to be light and chewy, which makes them much more delectable and appetizing.
Common Recipes That Use Corn Starch
Corn starch might have plenty of different uses, but its primary application is still in food-related businesses. Whether you own a large restaurant, a small family diner, or a multi-national food processing company, you need corn starch one way or the other. Here are a few of the most common products that require this ingredient:
Crispy Fried Chicken
There is no denying that Filipinos love fried chicken. A testament to that is the number of fast-food chains in the country that continue to grow and expand because of the fried chicken dishes they offer.
It is not just in large restaurants, though, because fried chicken is also a staple in many small diners. Eateries that offer unlimited wings are growing in number. If you are craving this crunchy meal, you do not even have to go far because you can also find fried chicken on the streets.
What many people do not realize is that corn starch is needed when cooking delicious and crispy fried chicken. Using this ingredient instead of flour makes the dish less oily.
Cakes
When baking a cake, you use different kinds of flour, which provides structure to the pastry product you are making. Adding just the right amount is critical in creating the perfect dessert that is soft and easy to bite.
You can also add a bit of corn starch to improve the cake’s structure. After all, the ingredient is incredibly rich in gluten, so it makes the dessert more tender. Just be sure not to add too much corn starch because it might make the cake too hard.
The quality of ingredients is a critical factor in making pastries. So, if your business revolves around baked goods, it is best to partner with a corn starch supplier you can trust. Doing so ensures that the corn starch you use for your products comes from a reliable source.
Sauces and Gravies
Corn starch is mainly used as a thickener, so it stands to reason that it is needed when making sauces and gravies for different dishes. Dips made with corn starch are known to be rich, viscous, and flavorful.
It is relatively easy to make sauces or gravies using corn starch. Once you are done with it, you can use it as flavorings for french fries, fried chicken, potato wedges, and other mouthwatering finger foods. You can eat it alone or share it with friends or family.
Procuring Affordable Corn Starch in the Philippines
If you are in the food business, there is a high chance that you need high amounts of corn starch. It does not matter if you are a small-time restaurateur or an owner of a big food processing company. You should partner with a reliable corn starch supplier in the Philippines who can sell the product at a wholesale price. Doing so is an excellent way to save capital because you do not have to pay a lot whenever you buy bulk items.
Wills International Sales Corporation is here to help you! We are a reputable company that distributes high-quality ingredients to our customers throughout the Philippines. By partnering with us, you can rest assured that the ingredients you will procure for your business are industry-grade and safe to use.
If you wish to learn more about our company and the items we offer, feel free to send us a message or give us a call! You can also get in touch with our team today to place an order for any of the products we offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maize Starch the Same As Corn Starch?
Compared to corn starch, maize starch is typically yellow and less refined. Maize starch, after all, is just made by grinding corn kernels into a fine powder, unlike corn starch, which goes through a lengthy process that includes different refining stages.
Maize starch is sometimes also called corn flour. It contains plenty of nutrients, such as protein, fiber, and all the vitamins and minerals found in whole corn.
Can You Substitute Corn Starch With Flour?
In certain recipes, you can use corn starch if you are out of flour, but you might ask if the converse is also true. The short answer is yes, but it still depends on the type of dish you are cooking. If you plan to swap corn starch with flour, be reminded to use a large amount to achieve the same consistency.
What Is the Difference Between Corn Starch and Corn Flour?
Corn flour is the same as maize starch. Compared to corn starch, corn flour is yellowish because it is less refined. The good thing about it, though, is that it is more nutritious.
Even though corn starch is less nutritious, it is still packed with plenty of health benefits. Corn starch manufacturers boast that their product is incredibly rich in carbohydrates, which provide high amounts of energy to the body.
Conclusion
Corn starch is an incredibly versatile product that has plenty of health benefits. If you want to use it for your food business, it is best to find a trusted partner. Contact us at Wills International Sales Corporation.
Our company is a reliable corn starch supplier in the Philippines, and we offer our products at a wholesale price. Reach out to us for more information!
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