How do you do that? Yes, you read it correctly! I reach for arrowroot whenever I would like to make things a little bit crispier or crunchier, which is why I like to add some to crumbles, crisps or crumble bars. Dissolved in cool water, usually 1 tablespoon per arrowroot/kuzu to 2 tablespoons liquid, mix well, then … This water content is good for moisturizing the skin. After our little talk about coconut sugar and agar agar, I would love to chat about arrowroot today. Instant tapioca is the best option as it also holds up well when frozen and offers a glossy sheen to foods. Dusting any protein, including tofu and beef, creates a crispy exterior while cooking. Arrowroot powder is also used to fry food. The starch may also be found in baby powders, makeup, and various products worldwide. However safe on hands and health. If the arrowroot powder is added directly to a hot liquid, the starch molecules will swell immediately and form clumps before it is able to be evenly mixed in. Arrowroot is used for thickening sauces, juices and syrups; when heated the starch turns to jelly and so thickens the liquid. Even though its mostly used as a thickener, arrowroot powder has many more uses in the kitchen. Another great ingredient to add to your pantry, should you be flirting with the idea of going keto. The procedure is very simple. Thanks for sharing! It can produce the powder about 12-15% of the total dry weight. Arrowroot powder is a gluten-free starch that could potentially be used as a starch substitute for people with celiac disease. Unlike many starches, arrowroot will turn clear as it sets, and will not interfere with the color of the dishes it is included in. It works well when mixed with other gluten free flours like almond flour and coconut flour and is perfect for bread or cake recipes. As a moisturizer. It comes in handy especially in vegan dishes where no eggs can be used to hold the ingredients together. The information above talks about arrowroot for many industries, however we only sell it for external use. Arrowroot is a well known thickening agent and what I love about is that it stands up to acidic mixtures. It contains potato starch; thus, it is very important to read the labels in the market before purchasing it. If you’re making a clear jelly, mix arrowroot powder into a loose slurry with cool water or other liquid before adding to hot wine or fruit juice. These conservative methods skip the high heat and chemicals that some newer methods use. The tubers are washed, the outer skin is removed, the roots are bashed and thrashed into a pulp. It works well in thickening jams, pies, jellies, soups, stews, sauces, and other dishes. Talcum powder is very widely used but is never used in tournaments. Some lower quality arrowroot powder blends may also contain potato starch, so be sure to read ingredient lists carefully. Nature’s Garden sells arrowroot powder for external use only. By using The Spruce Eats, you accept our, Using Flour, Cornstarch and Arrowroot Gravy Thickeners, How to Substitute Cornstarch and Flour for Each Other, Instant Tapioca Substitute for Pie Filling and Cobblers, Using Cornstarch in Chinese Stir-Fry Dishes. Follow Not Enough Cinnamon on Instagram and show me what you've been making from the blog! Arrowroot powder is similar in use to cornstarch and has twice the thickening power of wheat flour. Due to corn allergies and to avoid anything GMO and pesticide-laden, more and more people are looking for substitutes and alternatives to cornstarch. Most grocery stores sell it near flour, grains, or other baking supplies. Arrowroot powder, when used in a facial mask, can improve the absorption of nutrients by the skin to a great extent. And then there is the whole savory world of sauces, soups, and gravy! It is extracted from the root of a tropical plant known as Maranta arundinacea. When the root is harvested, it looks pretty similar to cassava root, or yucca, so it’s oblong in shape. Arrowroot powder for beauty uses? The result is a pie with a beautiful shiny coating. I thought they were the same and I soon learned they were not the same animal at all. Arrowroot is extremely versatile and can even be used as a substitute for wheat flour. I love using it for thickening fruit sauces like cranberry sauce or really any slightly acidic sauces like sweet teriyaki sauce. Compared to other tropical starches, arrowroot has fewer calories and more protein. Add 1 tablespoon of arrowroot powder, 1 teaspoon of fresh yogurt to it, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to it, and mix everything together. For a little healthy recipe inspiration, here are my favorite sweet and savory dishes using arrowroot starch: Have you cooked with arrowroot powder before?