Cornstarch: meaning, definitions and examples
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cornstarch
[ ˈkɔrnˌstɑrʧ ]
food ingredient
Cornstarch is a fine, white powder made from the starchy part of a corn kernel. It is commonly used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking, helping to create a smooth texture in sauces, gravies, and puddings. In addition to its thickening properties, cornstarch can also be used to improve the texture of baked goods. It is gluten-free and is often used in recipes for those with gluten sensitivities. Furthermore, cornstarch is also used in various industrial applications, including the production of adhesives and paper.
Synonyms
cornflour, maize starch
Examples of usage
- Use cornstarch to thicken your soup.
- This cake recipe calls for cornstarch to create a delicate texture.
- Mix cornstarch with water to create a non-Newtonian fluid.
- Cornstarch is an essential ingredient for making homemade pudding.
Translations
Translations of the word "cornstarch" in other languages:
🇵🇹 amido de milho
🇮🇳 कॉर्नस्टार्च
🇩🇪 Maisstärke
🇮🇩 tepung jagung
🇺🇦 кукурудзяний крохмаль
🇵🇱 skrobia kukurydziana
🇯🇵 コーンスターチ
🇫🇷 fécule de maïs
🇪🇸 fécula de maíz
🇹🇷 mısır nişastası
🇰🇷 옥수수 전분
🇸🇦 نشا الذرة
🇨🇿 kukuřičný škrob
🇸🇰 kukuricný škrob
🇨🇳 玉米淀粉
🇸🇮 koruzni škrob
🇮🇸 maísstiv
🇰🇿 жүгері крахмалы
🇬🇪 კაკლათის სახამებელი
🇦🇿 qarğıdalı nişastası
🇲🇽 fécula de maíz
Etymology
The term 'cornstarch' is derived from the words 'corn' and 'starch'. The word 'corn' originally referred to the grain that was most commonly grown in a particular region, and in England, it referred to grains like wheat. However, in American English, 'corn' specifically denotes the maize plant, a crop widely cultivated in the Americas by Indigenous peoples long before European settlement. The process of extracting starch from corn involves grinding the kernels and separating the starchy components from the fiber and germ. By the late 19th century, cornstarch became widely used in cooking and baking, and it was marketed commercially as a convenient pantry staple. Since then, it has become integral to recipes around the world, influencing culinary practices and industrial applications alike.