Tapioca starch, also known as tapioca flour, is a starch extracted from the roots of the cassava plant (Manihot esculenta). Cassava is a tropical plant that is widely cultivated in many countries, particularly in South East Asia, South America, and Africa.
Tapioca starch is a fine, white powder that is commonly used as a thickener and binder in a variety of food products, such as puddings, soups, sauces, and baked goods. It is also used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat starch in many recipes.
Tapioca starch is often preferred over other starches due to its neutral flavor and clear, glossy appearance when cooked. It has a high starch content, and is low in fat, protein, and fiber. Additionally, tapioca starch is easy to digest and has a low allergenic potential, making it a suitable option for people with dietary restrictions or sensitivities.
Tapioca starch can also be processed into tapioca pearls, which are small, translucent spheres that are commonly used in bubble tea and other sweet desserts. The pearls are made by first mixing tapioca starch with water to form a dough, which is then shaped into small balls and boiled until they become soft and chewy.
Structure
Tapioca starch has a unique structure that distinguishes it from other starches. The starch granules in tapioca starch are irregularly shaped and tend to be larger than those in other starches, with an average size of about 15-25 microns.
The starch granules in tapioca starch are composed of two types of glucose polymers: amylose and amylopectin. Amylose is a linear chain of glucose molecules, while amylopectin is a highly branched chain of glucose molecules.
Tapioca starch typically contains a higher percentage of amylopectin than other starches, which gives it a unique texture and functional properties. The branched structure of amylopectin allows tapioca starch to absorb and hold more water than other starches, making it an effective thickener and binder in a variety of food applications.
In addition to its unique structure, tapioca starch is also known for its neutral flavor and clear, glossy appearance when cooked. These properties make it a popular ingredient in a wide range of food products, from puddings and sauces to baked goods and snacks. Tapioca starch is also a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour, which makes it a suitable ingredient for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
Properties
Tapioca starch has several properties that make it a useful ingredient in a variety of food applications. Some of the key properties of tapioca starch include:
- Thickening and binding: Tapioca starch has excellent thickening properties, and it can be used to thicken soups, sauces, and other liquids. It also has good binding properties, which makes it useful in gluten-free baking as a substitute for wheat flour.
- Clarity and gloss: When cooked, tapioca starch has a clear, glossy appearance, which makes it ideal for use in puddings, pie fillings, and other desserts.
- Neutral flavor: Tapioca starch has a neutral flavor and does not affect the taste of the food it is used in, which makes it a versatile ingredient in a wide range of recipes.
- Resistance to high temperatures: Tapioca starch is resistant to high temperatures, which makes it suitable for use in frozen or refrigerated foods that require high heat during processing.
- Freeze-thaw stability: Tapioca starch can withstand freeze-thaw cycles without losing its thickening or binding properties, which makes it useful in frozen foods.
- Gluten-free: Tapioca starch is naturally gluten-free, which makes it a safe and useful ingredient for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
Overall, the unique properties of tapioca starch make it a popular ingredient in a variety of food products, from baked goods and desserts to soups and sauces.
Production
The process of making tapioca starch involves several steps, including:
- Harvesting and cleaning the cassava roots: The cassava roots are harvested and washed to remove any dirt or debris.
- Peeling and grating the cassava: The outer peel of the cassava root is removed, and the root is then grated or shredded into small pieces.
- Separating the starch from the pulp: The grated cassava is then soaked in water and agitated to release the starch from the pulp. The starch slurry is then passed through a series of screens to remove any remaining pulp or fibers.
- Settling and drying the starch: The starch slurry is allowed to settle, and the water is drained off. The starch is then dried using a variety of methods, such as sun-drying, oven-drying, or drum-drying.
- Milling and sieving the dried starch: The dried starch is milled to a fine powder and then sifted through a series of screens to remove any lumps or impurities.
- Packaging and storage: The tapioca starch is then packaged in bags or other containers and stored in a cool, dry place until it is ready to be used.
The exact process may vary depending on the manufacturer and the equipment used, but these are the basic steps involved in producing tapioca starch.
Applications in food industry
Tapioca starch is a versatile ingredient that has many applications in the food industry. Some of the common uses of tapioca starch in food products include:
- Thickener: Tapioca starch is an excellent thickener for soups, stews, sauces, and gravies.
- Binder: Tapioca starch can be used as a binder in meat products, such as sausages and meatballs.
- Gluten-free baking: Tapioca starch is commonly used in gluten-free baking as a substitute for wheat flour. It can be used to make gluten-free bread, cakes, and pastries.
- Desserts: Tapioca starch is used in many desserts, including puddings, custards, and pie fillings. It gives these desserts a smooth and creamy texture.
- Noodles and pasta: Tapioca starch is used to make a variety of noodles and pasta, including rice noodles and vermicelli.
- Snacks: Tapioca starch is used to make a variety of snacks, including chips, crackers, and popcorn.
- Beverages: Tapioca starch is used to make a popular Asian beverage called bubble tea, which consists of tapioca pearls, tea, and milk.
Overall, the unique properties of tapioca starch make it a valuable ingredient in many food products, from thickening soups and sauces to creating gluten-free baked goods and desserts.
Applications in the non-food industry
Tapioca starch also has several applications outside of the food industry. Some of the non-food applications of tapioca starch include:
- Adhesives: Tapioca starch can be used to make adhesives for paper products, such as envelopes and stamps.
- Textile industry: Tapioca starch can be used as a sizing agent in the textile industry. It helps to improve the stiffness and handle of fabrics.
- Cosmetics: Tapioca starch is used in cosmetics as a thickener, absorbent, and mattifier. It is commonly found in powders, creams, and lotions.
- Pharmaceutical industry: Tapioca starch can be used as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations, such as tablets and capsules.
- Biodegradable packaging: Tapioca starch is used to make biodegradable packaging materials, such as bags and food containers.
- Paper industry: Tapioca starch is used in the paper industry as a coating agent for glossy paper.
Overall, tapioca starch’s properties make it useful in a variety of non-food applications. Its versatility and biodegradability make it an attractive alternative to synthetic materials in some industries.
Market
Thailand is currently the largest supplier of tapioca starch in the world. According to the UN Comtrade database, in 2020, Thailand exported over 4.5 million metric tons of tapioca starch, accounting for more than 60% of the world’s total tapioca starch exports. Other major tapioca starch producing countries include Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, and Myanmar.
Vietnam is currently the second largest supplier of tapioca starch in the world. According to the UN Comtrade database, in 2020, Vietnam exported over 1.5 million metric tons of tapioca starch, accounting for approximately 20% of the world’s total tapioca starch exports. Other major tapioca starch producing countries include Thailand (the largest supplier), Indonesia, Brazil, and Myanmar.