Starch is a pivotal ingredient in candy making, playing various roles in adjusting texture and enhancing mouthfeel. Here are the primary functions of starch in the realm of candy production:
-
Thickening and Gelling Agent: Starch is widely employed as a thickening agent in candies, adding viscosity to syrups or fruit juices, forming a gel-like consistency crucial for providing the desired sticky texture.
-
Improved Chewiness: In certain chewing gums and soft candies, the incorporation of starch enhances chewiness, imparting resilience and elasticity to improve overall mouthfeel.
-
Control of Syrup Flow: Starch is utilized in candy syrup preparation to regulate flow, ensuring the syrup maintains the appropriate viscosity during production, making it easier to handle and mold.
-
Anti-Sticking and Anti-Clumping: Starch's anti-sticking properties contribute to preventing candies from adhering together during production and packaging, minimizing the risk of clumping.
-
Volume Expansion and Texture Enhancement: In specific candies, starch's ability to swell upon water absorption can increase volume, influencing texture to create a lighter or softer mouthfeel.
-
Sweetness Control and Increased Stability: The addition of starch aids in regulating the release of sugars, influencing the overall sweetness of candies. Additionally, starch enhances the stability of candies, increasing their shelf life.
In summary, starch plays a multifaceted and crucial role in candy making, providing essential support for the texture, quality, and appearance of a diverse array of candies.