Wheat starch, which is obtained exclusively from premium wheat, is actively used to prepare various dishes. It has a number of specific features, thanks to which it is gaining popularity every day and is purchased in a large number of restaurants and other establishments.
The area in which wheat starch is used (GOST 31935-2012) is quite wide. It is used for the preparation of flour products or delicacies. Modern experts are trying to expand these boundaries even more and offer the world several new ways of operating the product.
Wheat starch
The powder in question looks like a dry mass of a white or yellowish tint. Wheat starch contains fractions of both small and large grains. The number of the former varies between 2-10 microns, of the latter from 20 to 36 microns. All of them have a rounded or flat elliptical shape, in the middle of which is the eye.
Depending on the organoleptic characteristics, as well as the constituent elements, starch can be divided into three types. These include: top, first and extra grades.
The name of the wheat starch in the Latin recipe is amylum tritici. This is important to remember, because often in recipes this ingredient is written in Latin.
Gluten in wheat starch is completely absent. This feature allows you to define product selection rules. This type of flour is the only one produced according to European standards and does not contain gluten. When buying flour products based on it, you must definitely check the composition. If it expressly indicates that there is no gluten, then the product can be safely eaten.
Production
Nowadays, the production of wheat starch is carried out by several methods. For this, wheat grains are used . The most popular are the methods of "whipped test" and Marten.
The first method originated in the United States. Here, wheat starch is separated from gluten using special shaking screens. This procedure is preceded by kneading a liquid and elastic dough, which is quickly whipped and placed in a disintegrator pump along with a large amount of liquid.
The second way is to sift and mix the flour with water in a structure designed to knead the dough. The finished mass is sent to the hopper for 40 minutes, and then pumped with a special pump into the tank for washing starch. With intense rotation, the gluten separates. After this, the starch suspension is sent to the concentration and dehydration in the collection. The output is not only a pure product, but also a gluten-free mass (mixed), as well as “sweet” gluten, which is often used to create nutritious dishes.
Technology
Wheat starch at Russian enterprises is extracted using a special technology. It consists of several stages:
- Soak. Here, the already refined grain is placed in sulfuric acid for a couple of days.
- Splitting up. At this stage, the grains are broken by crushers of the finest grinding.
- Flushing. This procedure is necessary to remove all impurities.
- Centrifugation Through separation centrifuges, milk is divided into starch and protein mass.
- Drying. Wet raw materials are dried with warm air.
- Screening. The final stage involves disconnecting the grains, random impurities, as well as lumps.
The properties
For the most part, the active use of wheat starch is due to its properties. These include:
- hygroscopicity;
- neutrality of taste;
- storage duration;
- good resistance in case of heat treatment;
- moderate viscosity;
- emulsion stabilization.
One of the interesting properties is the ability of the grains to swell when in a liquid with an elevated temperature. In addition, its distinctive feature can be called the ability to form paste, characterized by stability under thermal stress and long storage.
Wheat and corn starch are very different. The paste obtained from the first is transferred to a plastic jelly, in contrast to the second, which has neutral taste and aroma.
Application
Wheat starch is used in the meat processing industry. In addition, it is actively used in the process of cooking boiled sausages, sausages and sausages.
Often, cooks prepare flour products on its basis. The result is quite tasty buns, cakes and even cookies.
Manufacturers offer to purchase this type of starch, not only for consumption. They claim that this product performs well in the textile industry, the construction industry, and even the pharmacological field.
Recipes
Starch is often used for cooking in expensive restaurants. At home, on its basis, you can also make good goodies and please the whole family with them. Below are two interesting recipes that any person can understand and reproduce, even without having any cooking skills.
Florentine cake
The first thing to consider is a cake option. This type of dish attracts the attention of both adults and children. It has gorgeous taste, which is very difficult to forget. Components for it can be found at any grocery store.
Cooking time does not exceed three hours. This recipe is for 12 servings.
Ingredients
To create goodies for tea, you need to stock up on the following products:
- sugar - 350 grams;
- 30% cream - 300 grams;
- vinegar - a teaspoon;
- chicken egg protein - 3 things;
- starch - 40 grams;
- margarine - 100 grams;
- chopped almonds - 100 grams;
- coffee - 150 ml;
- butter - not more than 40 grams.
Cooking
The recipe uses only 9 ingredients, which can be easily purchased at the store. According to the chefs who tested it, it really is profitable, and not only because of financial savings, but also because of the quick preparation.
The process will be as follows:
- Preheat the oven to 100 degrees. At the same time, whisk the proteins until foamy, gradually add 200 grams of sugar and pour vinegar.
- After preparing the baking paper, from the resulting dough, form three shortcakes and send to the oven for a couple of hours. After this time, the fire must be turned off, but the product can be reached only after an hour.
- Prepare mocha cream by combining warm thick coffee and starch. After that, 100 grams of sugar is added. The resulting mixture will need to bring to a boil, remove from heat, combine with margarine and cool.
- Make crocant from the remaining sugar, obtaining caramel from it. It should be a light brown in color. After there, it is necessary to pour nuts and oil without removing from the heat. When the smell appears, the mixture will have to be transferred to another container and cool.
- Beat the cream to a foamy state, spread crusts on them, pour over the mocha, sprinkle with crushed crocant and cover with a second crust. Having done the same steps again, it is necessary to impose the last sheet of dough and decorate with the rest of the mixtures. Almost finished cake should be sent in the refrigerator for an hour.
The most important thing is not to remove or replace the ingredients of the recipe. This can cause a change in taste, so all the forces go down the drain. Only experienced chefs are allowed to carry out such manipulations, since they are used to experimenting and creating new masterpieces, but novice cooks should not take such risks.
Shrimp Dim Sum
The next dish will be crystal dim sums. Seafood lovers will definitely appreciate them, because such a delicacy is prepared mainly with their participation. It is worth noting not only exquisite taste, but also an attractive aroma.
It will take you only 40 minutes to cook. The proportions of the products are designed for 4 servings, but at will they can be easily changed, taking into account the wishes and tastes of potential tasters.
Components
Shrimp dim sums are made from the following foods:
- a little star anise or anise - about 0.2 g;
- 0.1 grams of ground cinnamon and cloves;
- 250 grams of shrimp;
- 4 grams of salt;
- 60 grams of chestnuts (water);
- 3 grams of ginger root in the form of powder and green onions;
- 16 grams of onions;
- 60 grams of starch;
- 4 leaves of a banana;
- 60 ml of sunflower oil;
- 30 grams of sugar;
- 2 grams of soda.
Cooking process
Despite the amazing name, it will not take too much time to prepare the dish, since there are only five stages:
- Prepare the marinade. To do this, you need to combine soda with 20 grams of sugar and 80 ml of drinking water. Then you need to marinate the seafood and send them for an hour to a cold and dark place.
- Brew starch in 60 ml of boiled water and knead the sticky mass.
- Heat sunflower oil in a special saucepan until a temperature of 100 degrees is reached, then combine with chopped green and onions, cloves, ginger, anise and cinnamon. After that, fry the onion for 5 minutes, until a blush appears, and then strain it through a fine strainer.
- Get the pickled shrimps, rinse them thoroughly in water and send them to a blender along with salt, sugar, butter, drained from onions, and chopped chestnuts. Grinding the ingredients takes at least 25 minutes, until the mass becomes homogeneous.
- Roll out the resulting dough so that the layer thickness is 3-4 mm. From this layer, you need to cut circles so that they are at least 4 centimeters in diameter, lay out the filling and fix on top. After the dish should be placed in the oven and baked at 180 degrees 10 minutes, and serve them best on banana leaves.
Following the correct sequence of steps, you can cook a wonderful snack. Such a delicacy is recommended to be served not only for family dinners, but also for various celebrations with important guests.