Thickener: meaning, definitions and examples
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thickener
[ˈθɪkənər ]
Definitions
food industry
A substance added to food products to increase their viscosity and improve their texture. Thickener can be natural (such as starch or pectin) or synthetic (such as guar gum or xanthan gum). It is commonly used in sauces, soups, and gravies.
Synonyms
binder, gelling agent, stabilizer.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| thickener |
Usually used in cooking or food production to increase the viscosity of a liquid or mixture without changing its other properties.
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| binder |
Often used in food and industrial products to bind ingredients together so they hold their shape.
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| stabilizer |
Employed in food processing to help maintain consistency, texture, and general stability over a period of time.
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| gelling agent |
Used in cooking and food production to give a gel-like consistency to products such as jellies, desserts, or sauces.
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Examples of usage
- Adding a thickener to the sauce will give it a creamier consistency.
- This recipe calls for a natural thickener like cornstarch.
medical field
A substance used to increase the viscosity of liquids in order to make them easier to swallow, typically used for patients with swallowing difficulties.
Synonyms
swallowing aid, viscosity enhancer.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| thickener |
Used in culinary or chemical contexts to make a liquid more dense.
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| viscosity enhancer |
Commonly used in industrial, scientific, or technical contexts to describe a substance that increases the thickness or stickiness of a liquid.
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| swallowing aid |
Primarily used in healthcare settings to help individuals with difficulty swallowing, often in reference to a substance that makes it easier to swallow food or medicine.
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Examples of usage
- The doctor recommended using a thickener in the patient's drinks to prevent choking.
- Thickeners are often used in hospitals for patients with dysphagia.
Interesting Facts
Culinary Uses
- Common thickeners include cornstarch and gelatin, often used in sauces, soups, and desserts.
- Many sauces, like béchamel, rely on a roux, which mixes flour and fat to create a base that thickens the sauce.
Etymology
- The word 'thickener' derives from the root 'thick', which has Old English origins, meaning 'dense or heavy'.
- Its modern usage in cooking dates back to the late 19th century as culinary techniques evolved.
Health & Nutrition
- Some natural thickeners, like psyllium husk, are used in gluten-free cooking to improve texture.
- Certain thickeners increase the volume of meals without adding too many calories, aiding in weight management.
Industrial Applications
- Thickeners are used in various industries, including paints and cosmetics, to adjust the viscosity of products.
- In pharmaceuticals, thickeners enhance liquid formulations, improving the texture and stability of medicines.
Cultural Representation
- In some cuisines, such as Chinese, thickeners like potato starch are essential for achieving the desired texture in dishes such as sweet-and-sour sauce.
- Culinary traditions around the world often showcase unique thickening techniques, reflecting local ingredients and preferences.
Translations
Translations of the word "thickener" in other languages:
🇵🇹 espessante
🇮🇳 गाढ़ा करने वाला
🇩🇪 Verdickungsmittel
🇮🇩 pengental
🇺🇦 загущувач
🇵🇱 zagęstnik
🇯🇵 増粘剤 (ぞうねんざい)
🇫🇷 épaississant
🇪🇸 espesante
🇹🇷 kıvam arttırıcı
🇰🇷 증점제 (jeungjeomje)
🇸🇦 مادة مكثفة
🇨🇿 zahušťovadlo
🇸🇰 zahusťovadlo
🇨🇳 增稠剂 (zēngchóujì)
🇸🇮 zgoščevalec
🇮🇸 þykkiefni
🇰🇿 қоюландырғыш
🇬🇪 სასქელებელი (saskelebeli)
🇦🇿 qalınlaşdırıcı
🇲🇽 espesante