Corn Starch

The History of Corn Starch

Starch has been used by mankind for thousands of years, including the Egyptians and Romans. The first record of starch being made from corn was in 1842. Thomas Kingsford, an employee at a wheat starch plant, was the first to create starch from corn. The product was mainly used in the laundry industry.

How Corn Starch is Made

Corn starch is manufactured through a process called wet milling. Once the corn has been cleaned and removed from the cob, it is soaked for up to two days in hot water. The endosperm of the corn kernel is removed from the germ of the corn and gluten in a centrifuge. It is then dried and ground.

Corn Starch in Cooking

Corn starch is primarily used as a thickener for gravies and soups. A small amount will thicken any liquid a great deal with little added taste. This thickening process is called starch gelatinization.

Corn starch can also be used as a substitute for flour in stews, sauces and gravies at a ratio of one part corn starch equals two parts flour; such a substitution is made for those who have Celiac disease and are allergic to the gluten found in wheat, rye and barley.

Corn Starch in Foods

Corn starch is an additive in powdered sugar to keep the sugar from clumping.It is also used in pies, cake fillings, custards, creams and puddings.

Other Uses of Corn Starch

Corn starch is used in the laundering process to make clothing stiff and wrinkle-free.

It is also a popular alternative to talc-based baby powders to dust a baby’s diaper area to wick away moisture. Web MD reports that corn starch does not have adverse effects if inhaled. Talcum powder does, and can cause lung damage.

However, corn starch should not be used with a diaper rash that is caused by a yeast infection. The yeast will feed on the corn starch, making the yeast infection worse.

Further moisture-reducing applications of corn starch include adding it to shoes, gym bags, handles of tennis rackets, pool sticks and golf clubs, and adding it to playing cards to make them easier to shuffle.

• Corn starch can also be used as a spot treatment to remove stains of blood, grass, eggs, dairy products and fruits or vegetables from clothing. The process involves soaking the stain, applying corn starch, allowing it to dry and brushing off the corn starch.
• Corn starch is also used in cleaning much like baking soda. A non-abrasive paste is made from corn starch and water that will remove residue and foods from pots and pans. It can be used in this manner to polish silver.
• Clay can be made from corn starch and a few other common food ingredients such as water and Cream of Tartar. The clay can be dyed with food coloring. Since it is made entirely from food sources, it is a non-toxic option for children who are likely to eat the clay they are playing with.
• Another form of the clay uses more liquid, producing goo. It is a common recipe to make along with reading Dr. Seuss’s “Bartholomew and the Oobleck”, a story about a kingdom overrun with green goo.
• Corn starch, along with baking soda and water will relieve the sting of sunburn and the itch of poison ivy. It will also help rashes and hives from allergic reactions.

One new application of corn starch has been in the manufacturing of biodegradable plastics. Polylactic acid is created from corn starch, and it is then used to create plastic bags which decompose into water and carbon dioxide in four months.

Regular plastic averages about 450 years to break down into smaller parts! Researchers are attempting to use the polylactic acid in other plastic applications.

Corn Starch Side Effects

Corn starch, as a carbohydrate, can lead to an increase in gas in some individuals. You should avoid getting the powder in your eyes or airways as it will cause irritation. Anyone exhibiting signs of severe allergic reaction should seek immediate medical help.

Corn Starch and Medical Conditions

Corn starch will expand in the stomach if not properly dissolved before eating. Always dissolve corn starch completely before eating.

The desire to eat foods that have little or no nutritional value, such as corn starch, is called Pica. It can be a result of a nutritional deficiency. If you suspect that you have Pica, talk to your doctor.

How to Use Corn Starch

Corn starch is readily available in grocery stores in the baking aisle. For cooking applications, corn starch is generally mixed completely with a cold liquid before being added to anything hot to reduce lumps.

Recipes and tips for both food and non-food applications can be found online and on the boxes of corn starch. Use the supplement finder to locate the products you need today!