Do You Want to Include Cornstarch in Your Food Storage Program?

It's really a lower-level question and ranks nowhere near as important as the big basics--grains, beans, milk, oil, sugar, and salt.  It's not as critical as yeast, baking soda, baking powder, or cocoa.  And yet, a pound or two may come in handy.  Here are some of the ways cornstarch is used:

The following are some of what I consider to be the most important uses for cornstarch.

• Yogurt.  Cornstarch thickens and stabilizes homemade yogurt very well, while at the same time reducing the amount of whey that separates from the yogurt.
• SOS Mix.  Cornstarch is a primary ingredient in this mix that not only makes quick sauces for hamburger helper but is also a very effective soup thickener.  In addition, it is lower in fat than Magic Mix and saves that valuable fat for other more important uses.
• Sauces.  Cornstarch is used to thicken so many sauces. 
• Gravy.  Chefs also frequently turn to cornstarch to thicken gravies.
• Fruit Pies.  Pie-makers prefer the thickening ability of cornstarch when making pies with fruit juices.  Cornstarch yields a brighter, clearer pie juice than flour does.

Cornstarch has numerous other culinary uses in food storage.

• Marshmallows
• Egg substitute
• Dough enhancer
• DIY baking powder
• Fruit flavored pancake syrups

Finally, cornstarch is an essential ingredient in making the best DIY glass cleaner and oobleck (a mixture of cornstarch and water) to entertain children.  It also has numerous applications in medicine.

Honestly, the world's not going to come to an end without it.  In some situations, flour will substitute or you can simply choose to do without cornstarch altogether without much loss in quality.  If you do decide that you want some, a box or two per person per year will serve you very well.

For best results, cornstarch should be stored in an airtight container to protect it from moisture and pests.  Like almost all other foods, it should also be kept cool.  If basic food storage conditions are maintained, cornstarch will last indefinitely. 

Links to related posts:

Yogurt

SOS Mix

Marshmallows

Dough Enhancer

DIY Baking Powder

The Medicinal Uses of Cornstarch