What Does Cornstarch Taste Like? A Detailed Answer

We are all familiar with cornstarch. We use it in cooking, thickening solutions, and even baking. But have you ever tried tasting it? Have you ever wondered what cornstarch taste like? If you’re curious about the flavor of cornstarch but don’t know what it tastes like, read this article.

Despite being made from corn, cornstarch doesn’t taste at all like corn. The flavor of cornstarch is relatively bland. Cornstarch tastes like regular all-purpose starch if you’ve ever had it. In a nutshell, cornstarch has a bland, pale flavor.

You may depend on cornstarch to produce delicious cakes or curries. In addition to being a trustworthy cooking ingredient, cornstarch provides several health advantages. In essence, cornstarch serves as a general-purpose starch.

You must be a little curious to learn more about cornstarch now that we have introduced the topic. This article will cover a variety of topics like what cornstarch is, how it tastes, and its health advantages. So without further delay, let’s get into the topic!

What Is Cornstarch?

Cornstarch is not something exotic. We all use it every day. But often, we don’t give much thought to cornstarch or how it is made. In this section, we will explore corn starch. 

Cornstarch, as you may have guessed, is made from whole corn kennel. It is made from the starchy part of corn. Cornstarch is usually white; however, depending on the corn used, it can be yellow or blue!

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What Does Cornstarch Taste Like?

Have you ever tasted cornstarch raw? If you haven’t, I think you should. If you are hesitant to try it, read this section. I’m sure after reading this section; you won’t think twice before testing its taste.

Cornstarch has a bland taste. Even though it is derived from corn, corn starch doesn’t reflect any of that taste. It is almost tasteless when it is raw. The taste of cornstarch is almost comparable to that of plain all-purpose starch.

Even though cornstarch is tasteless when raw, it develops a slightly sweet flavor when cooked. However, cornstarch doesn’t affect the taste of the dish to which it is added. (This is one reason for its worldwide popularity!)

When it comes to texture, cornstarch has a smooth and powdery texture. It looks very similar to powdered sugar. When mixed with water, corn starch develops a smooth, creamy texture.

Does Cornstarch And Corn Flour Taste The Same?

Corn flour and cornstarch look just the same. If you are not a cooking expert, you might not even find any difference between these two. However, even though they are derived from the same thing, they are different.

Cornstarch does not have any taste of its own. It is bland and doesn’t affect the flavor of the dish. Corn flour, however, has a mildly sweet taste, similar to corn.

Cornstarch Vs. Corn Flour

Corn flour and cornstarch are two things we often get confused about. Many people think that both of them are the same. However, that is not true; corn flour and cornstarch are two different things.

Corn flour is derived from grinding the entire corn kernel, so corn flour is highly nutritious. On the other hand, cornstarch is derived from the starch of corn. It has no nutritional value to it.

When it comes to cooking, corn flour and cornstarch are used in interchangeable ways. However, these two ingredients have different effects. While corn starch works as an amazing thickening agent, corn flour doesn’t contribute to thickening as effectively as corn starch.

But when it comes to baking, corn flour is preferable to that cornstarch as cornstarch has a bland taste and doesn’t contribute to adding any flavor to the final dish. On the other hand, corn flour does have a sweet earthy taste and adds a mild sweetness to the dish.

How Can You Make Cornstarch At Home?

Cornstarch is something we usually buy from stores. But have you ever tried making it at home? If not, I recommend you to try it at least once. Making cornstarch is an easy task.

Ingredients To Make Cornstach

1. Fresh Corn
2. Water
3. Blender
4. Cheesecloth 
5. strainer

Method To Make Cornstarch

1. Soak the corn in water overnight or for at least 12 hours.
2. After the soaking process, grind the corn in a blender to a loose consistency.
3. If the paste is too thick, add more water until you have a runny consistency.
4. Once the grinding is done, pass the mix through a filter and remove all the clumsy leftovers.
5. Allow the corn mix to sit over for three to four hours or until you find corn sediments settling down the water.
6. After the sediments are completely settled, remove the excess water and strain the sediments through a cheesecloth.
7.  Whatever is left in the cheesecloth after this process is corn starch.
8. You can either sun dry this starch or dry it instantly using a dehydrator.
9. Once dried, blend the mixture and sieve it to get the smooth powdery corn starch.

Best Ways To Use Cornstarch

Cornstarch is an ingredient that is easily available in most supermarkets. This is one such thing that most people pick up without a second doubt. This is because of its multiple uses.

If you are someone who prefers gluten-free things, then get a pack of cornstarch. Cornstarch can be used in baking in place of all-purpose starch. You can use cornstarch as gluten-free starch, from bread to waffles.

Cornstarch can also be used as a thickening agent. If you are preparing curry or even a dessert, one or two teaspoons of cornstarch mixed in water is enough to thicken your dish! 

Have you noticed a white powder on store-bought shredded cheese? What do you think it is? It is nothing but cornstarch. Cornstarch is an excellent anti-caking substance. It prevents the cheese from developing a clumsy texture.

Cornstarch can also be used for bread. Whether you’re making some fried chicken or shrimp, add a little cornstarch to it. Cornstarch helps to bind the masala on the dish and keeps it crispy when fried.

How To Tell If Cornstarch Has Gone Bad?

Cornstarch is something we only need in a very low amount. Hence what happens most of the time is that we leave the pack half-used in the pantry and think about it only when we need it.

If you are in a similar situation and are confused about whether your cornstarch has gone bad or not, this section is a must-read. Cornstarch is one of the foods that doesn’t get contaminated on its own.

Cornstarch will only get contaminated if it’s exposed to wetness or it is attacked by some insects. If any of these cases happen, you must throw out your cornstarch pack.

If your cornstarch is safely kept, then you can use it even a little after its expiry date. However, if your cornstarch shows any of the below symptoms, throw it away.

1. Presence of Insects
2. Bad Odor
3. Sour/Bitter Taste
4. Not Thickening 

How To Store Cornstarch Properly?

Now that we have looked into the uses of cornstarch, we shall get into the next session, which is the best way to store cornstarch. Cornstarch, like all other starch, is prone to decay if not stored properly.

The best way to store cornstarch is in an air-tight container. For the best result, it is always advisable to store the cornstarch in the refrigerator in a closed, air-tight container. 

If it comes in contact with moist air, there is a high chance that the starch will develop a stale taste and fungus attack. Spoilt cornstarch may affect the overall taste of the dish. Moreover, it’s not safe for human consumption.

Nutritional Benefits Of Cornstarch

It is undoubtedly one of the best cheaply available starch to us. Now that we have discussed its taste and uses, I hope you are convinced to buy some cornstarch next time you visit a supermarket. 

Conclusion

Cornstarch has so many uses to it. If you are someone who has never used cornstarch before, I hope you give it a try after reading this article. And if you do try raw cornstarch out of curiosity, let us know in this comment below what you felt!

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