Potato starch has several versatile uses:
Thickening Agent: Like corn starch, potato starch is often used as a thickening agent in cooking and baking. It's particularly useful in sauces, soups, and gravies where a clear, smooth texture is desired.
Gluten-Free Baking: Potato starch is a common ingredient in gluten-free baking, where it helps improve the texture and structure of baked goods. It can be used alone or in combination with other gluten-free flours to create light and fluffy cakes, cookies, and bread.
Binding Agent: Potato starch can act as a binding agent in recipes such as meatballs, burgers, and veggie patties, helping to hold ingredients together.
Coating for Frying: Similar to corn starch, potato starch can be used as a coating for frying foods to achieve a crispy exterior. It works particularly well with seafood, poultry, and vegetables.
Dusting Agent: Potato starch can be used as a dusting agent to prevent sticking in baking, similar to corn starch. It's commonly used to dust pans or surfaces when baking delicate pastries.
Therapeutic Uses: In some traditional remedies, potato starch is used to soothe skin irritations such as burns or rashes due to its gentle and absorbent properties.
