How to Make Cornstarch from Scratch
Cornstarch is used in so many different ways. In everyday cooking, it can be used to make our food delicious and just the right texture. You might have it in your mind to try making it from home, and you can. But, I will be real with you, making corn starch from scratch is going to be a process. It is not easy. So, be patient and expect to mess up and try again. That being said, you can do it as long as you have the right kind of corn and follow the steps properly.
With all of that being said, let us dive right in and get started, we have a lot to cover, and I am sure that you are dying to find out more.
Quick Answer
There is a little nuance to the steps you need to follow but if you are keen on learning the basics so that you can experiment these are the basic steps:
- Clean and soak the corn for 48 hours.
- Blend and create a slurry
- Strain the slurry
- Decant the water and prepare the starch for drying
- Dry the cornstarch
- Blend the dried starch to make it smooth
There is more to the process, so if you need more information, make sure to read on. We cover the details that will make it easier to successfully do.
What Kind of Corn Do You Need?
This is one of the most important steps. Using the right corn can make or break this recipe. Traditionally, cornstarch is made using yellow dent corn, which has a very high starch content. This kind of corn is not often sold at grocery stores, as such you may need to head to a feed store to get your hands on this kind of corn. You could also try a speciality store if there are no feed stores close by.
How to Make Cornstarch Step-By-Step
In this section, I will detail everything you need to know about making cornstarch at home in six simple steps.
Step 1 – Wash the Corn and Soak it
The first thing you need to do is meticulously clean your corn so that there is no debris remaining on it. Once you have cleaned it well, soak it in water for at least forty-eight hours.
It is important that this process happens at room temperature. This is an essential step, so do not skimp on soaking your corn for at least forty-eight hours.
Step 2 – Blend the Corn into a Slurry
Rinse the corn, then place it in a blender. The kernels should be softened by this point. Add a little water to the blender and blitz the contents until you have a slurry. The point of this step is to release the starch, as such I recommend using a blender that is high-powered for the best results.
Step 3 – Strain the Slurry
The next step is to strain your slurry. You can do this by using a very fine cheesecloth or mesh strainer. It is the liquid that is important as it contains the starch, so make sure that you strain the slurry over a bowl. You will not see the starch immediately, but it will settle after a few hours in the bottom of the bowl.
Step 4 – Remove the Water and Get Ready for Drying
Take extra care when you remove the liquid from the bowl. I find that the best process is to pour the water out slowly so that the starch is left at the bottom. Next, pour the wet starch out onto a baking sheet with a layer of parchment paper. I recommend that you spread the cornstarch out thinly and evenly so that it dries out quickly.
Step 5 – Dry the Starch
This process will be long, as drying out the starch will take a few days. This process can take longer depending on the air circulation and humidity of the space. If you want to speed up the process, I recommend that you put it in the oven to dry.
You will have to stay close and make sure that the oven is at the lowest possible temperature. Additionally, crack the oven door open so that the moisture can escape. Every few minutes, you should stir the corn starch so that the clips break up and it dries evenly.
Step 6 – The Final Steps
At this point you should have corn starch, it may appear a little clumpy. But you can fix this by blitzing the flour or grinding it down until it is fine. You can also use a sieve to remove the larger clumps. Now all that is left is to store your cornstarch and use it as needed.
Final Thoughts
I hope you have enjoyed reading this article and learning how to make cornstarch at home. It really is super simple to do, so if you want to be a little more self-sufficient, this article should help you on that journey.
But we are not through with this topic yet, there is a final section where I answer some of your most frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
I hope you have enjoyed this article, if you have, make sure to check out some of my other articles. I have covered a range of topics, some of which you are sure to find interesting and even helpful. From Homemade Essential Oils to How to Store Eggs and more.
Thanks for reading!
FAQ
In this section, I will be answering some of your most frequently asked questions regarding homemade cornstarch. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and get started!
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Is Cornflour the Same as Cornstarch?
Both of these flours are made from corn, but they are different. Cornstarch is whiter and more chalky. It is also used for thickening stews or sauces. Corn flour is made using corn kernels and made from the endosperm found within.
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What can You Use Instead of Cornstarch?
I recommend using potato starch. You can use it in a 1:1 ratio, which means if a recipe calls for one teaspoon of cornstarch, you can use one teaspoon of potato starch.
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What is the Healthiest Substitute for Cornstarch?
Flaxseed gel is the best alternative in my experience, as it is gluten-free. It is not as smooth as cornstarch, as such it may make your food a little rougher than cornstarch. AQ