Pregelatinized starch is a kind of food additive made of starch as raw material, which has the characteristics of thickening, improving taste and increasing nutrition, and is widely used in beverages, jellies, ice cream, quick-frozen foods and other fields. However, there are some impure pregelatinized starches on the market that contain other additives or fillers that can affect its quality and taste. Therefore, consumers need to learn to distinguish between pure pregelatinized starches.
First of all, the authenticity of pregelatinized starch can be preliminarily identified from the appearance. Pure pregelatinized starch is white or slightly yellow fine granules with a smooth surface and uniform texture, free of impurities and odors. If the pregelatinized starch contains other additives or fillers, the color will become uneven and the surface will become rough and uneven.
Secondly, the purity of pregelatinized starch can be judged by looking at its particle size and shape. Pure pregelatinized starch granules are uniform in size and appear regular spherical or oval in shape. If the particles are of different sizes and irregular shapes, they may be impure pregelatinized starch.
In addition, the purity of pregelatinized starch can be judged by testing its water absorption and swelling. Take a certain amount of pregelatinized starch, add an appropriate amount of water, stir evenly and let it stand for a period of time to observe its water absorption and swelling. Pure pregelatinized starch has good water absorption, moderate expansion, and no precipitation or delamination. If the pregelatinized starch contains other additives or fillers, the water absorption and swelling will be affected, and sedimentation or delamination may occur.
Finally, the purity of the pregelatinized starch can be judged by tasting the taste. Pure pregelatinized starch has a light taste and no off-flavors and pungent odors. If the pregelatinized starch contains other additives or fillers, the taste may become strong or have an off-flavored and pungent odor.
In summary, consumers can distinguish pure pregelatinized starch by looking at appearance, particle size and shape, water absorption and swelling, and tasting taste. Only when pure pre-gelatinized starch is purchased and used correctly can it be possible to create a food product with a better taste and quality.