Expiration & Storage Tips
When does potato starch expire?
When unopened and stored in a cool, dry pantry, potato starch can last for about 3-5 years beyond its 'best by' date printed on the package. Once opened, it should ideally be used within 6 to 12 months, but you might get lucky and find that it’s usable for even longer than that, especially if it’s pure starch with no additives. Atypically for pantry items, potato starch can also be frozen indefinitely, which might be a good idea if you don't plan on using it up quickly.
How do you tell if potato starch is bad?
Check for any changes in the color, smell, or texture. Potato starch should be a fine, white powder with very minimal smell. If it smells funny, turns yellowish, or if you see clumps and hard spots, it's best to err on the side of caution and discard it. Also if it is infested with bugs (this happens sometimes with pantry staples), throw it out.
Tips for storing potato starch to extend shelf life
• Store the potato starch in an airtight container, it will keep the moisture out and keep your starch from clumping.• Keep it in a cool, dry, and dark store or pantry away from heat and light which can induce moisture and cause your starch to clump.• Never use a wet measuring cup or spoon to scoop out potato starch. Any moisture can affect the starch’s texture.• Freeze the potato starch if you don't plan on using it frequently. Whenever you need it, just let it defrost naturally at room temperature for a couple of hours before use. Make sure it gets back to room temp before using, because the cold might affect its thickening properties.
FAQs
9 Great Substitutes for Potato Starch
- Cornstarch. Often used as a thickener, an anticaking agent, and a gluten-free baking staple, cornstarch is one of the best substitutes for potato starch when you're in a pinch. ...
- Tapioca starch. ...
- Arrowroot powder. ...
- Rice flour. ...
- Mochiko flour. ...
- Wheat flour. ...
- Potato flour. ...
- Coconut flour.
How to Thicken SAUCES, Stews and Gravies with Meade Potato Starch
- For thickening approx 500mls of sauce, mix 3-4 teaspoons of the Potato Starch with 3-4 tablespoons of cold liquid.
- Bring the liquid to the boil.
- Remove from the heat.
- Stir in the Potato Starch paste.
- Return to a gentle heat and stir as it thickens.
However, potato starch contains significantly fewer calories and carbohydrates than cornstarch, making it a good substitute for people looking to thicken foods without adding calories or carbs. Potato starch is also relatively flavorless, meaning that it will not overpower or alter other flavors in foods.
Why use potato starch instead of flour? ›
As it is gluten-free, potato starch can make a suitable gluten-free alternative for flour in baking recipes. However, too much potato starch can give baked goods a dry, crumbly texture. Therefore, it can feature in baking recipes alongside other starches.
Which is better, cornstarch or potato starch for fried chicken? ›
The Perks of Potato Starch
They both inhibit gluten formation, limit oil absorption, and produce a crispier texture. But because of its larger granule size, batters with potato starch can form a rigid, semi-brittle network when fried that's crunchier and more robust than a batter made with cornstarch.
What is the crispiest starch for frying? ›
Interestingly, cornstarch contains 25 to 28 percent amylose, which is higher than the amount in wheat or potato starch (which are 20 to 22 percent amylose), and this is why cornstarch works the best for making crispy coatings on fried foods.
Why is Korean fried chicken so crispy? ›
Cornstarch - You could also use potato starch instead. However, having starch in the mix is essential for making Korean fried chicken. The addition of starch is one of the secrets to why Korean fried chicken is so crispy! Water - This is the liquid use to make the wet batter.
What does potato starch do to your body? ›
You can usually find potato starch in health food stores and big grocery stores. As a resistant starch, potato starch has been shown to have some potential benefits, including positive effects on insulin levels and good gut bacteria. However, it's not a great source of nutrients.
What is the best way to use potato starch? ›
Used judiciously, potato starch functions similarly to cornstarch in baked goods like cookies and crackers: It improves crispness, and inhibits gluten formation in wheat flour formulations, resulting in a more delicate texture. But just like cornstarch, if you use too much, the baked product can end up dry and crumbly.
Does potato starch go bad? ›
While potato starch is typically long-lasting, it isn't impervious to spoiling. The key indicators of bad potato starch include: Clumping: Starch should remain fine and powdery. Clumps signify that moisture has entered the packaging.
Cornstarch is high in calories and carbs but low in essential nutrients. It may also increase blood sugar levels and harm heart health.
Can cornstarch and potato starch be used interchangeably? ›
Potato starch can be used as a 1:1 substitute for cornstarch in just about any recipe: Use it in a dry dredge to give masala fried chicken a crispy shell, or add it to doughs or batters for snappier cookies and more tender baked goods.
What is the healthiest starch to cook with? ›
Tapioca starch or cassava flour.
Cassava flour is more nutritious and has more fiber than tapioca starch. This gluten-free option is mostly used for thickening foods. Similar to arrowroot, you'll use twice the amount of tapioca starch (or cassava flour) as cornstarch in a recipe.
What does potato starch do in a recipe? ›
Used judiciously, potato starch functions similarly to cornstarch in baked goods like cookies and crackers: It improves crispness, and inhibits gluten formation in wheat flour formulations, resulting in a more delicate texture. But just like cornstarch, if you use too much, the baked product can end up dry and crumbly.
What can you replace starch with in a recipe? ›
Which one you use depends on the recipe, your needs, and what pantry staples you have on hand.
- Potato Starch. Potato starch is the cornstarch substitute favorite of associate food editor Kendra Vaculin. ...
- Rice Flour. ...
- All-Purpose Flour. ...
- Tapioca Flour. ...
- Arrowroot Powder. ...
- Xanthan Gum.
Common Passover Substitutions
- Matzo meal. This is the old standby of Passover baking. ...
- Potato starch. You might not typically think of baking with potato starch, but it's a traditional flour substitute for Passover. ...
- Almond flour. ...
- Coconut flour. ...
- Margarine.
Potato flour - also known as potato starch - is a white flour used to thicken soups, stews and even bake light sponges and biscuits.
