On Food and Cooking

WheatShortGood

CornShortModerate

PotatoStringyPoor

TapiocaStringyPoor

ArrowrootStringyGood

AppearanceFlavor

WheatOpaqueStrong

CornOpaqueStrong

PotatoClearModerate

TapiocaClearNeutral

ArrowrootClearNeutral

Arrowroot Arrowroot starch as it’s known in
the West is refined from the roots of a West
Indian plant (Maranta arundinacea).
Arrowroot starch has smaller granules than
potato or tapioca starches, produces a less
stringy consistency, and doesn’t thin out as
much on prolonged cooking. Its gelation