When you want a healthier thickener in your meals, you need to learn how to buy potato starch at your grocery store.
Benefits of Potato Starch
Potato starch is a fine, white powder that is extracted from potatoes. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways, both in cooking and in other applications. Here are some potential benefits of potato starch:
- Gluten-free: Potato starch is naturally gluten-free, which makes it a great alternative for people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
- Low in calories: Potato starch is low in calories, making it a good option for people looking to reduce their calorie intake.
- Improves digestion: Potato starch is prebiotic, which means it helps feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut. This can improve digestion and promote overall gut health.
- May reduce inflammation: Research suggests that potato starch may have anti-inflammatory properties, which could help reduce inflammation in the body.
- May improve insulin sensitivity: Some studies have found that potato starch may improve insulin sensitivity, which is beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.
- Thickening agent: Potato starch can be used as a thickening agent in cooking, making it a good alternative to flour or cornstarch.
- Gluten-free baking: Potato starch can be used in gluten-free baking as a substitute for wheat flour, which can make it easier for people with gluten sensitivity to enjoy baked goods.
Overall, potato starch is a versatile and beneficial ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways to support overall health and wellness.
Potato starch is a healthy option
If you do not like using wheat flour or cornstarch, then you can always turn to potato starch. This is a very versatile thickener and baking ingredient that makes your cooked and baked items healthier.
This ingredient has become popular with those groups of people who eat kosher, vegan foods, and gluten-free food items. The question is where do you find it so you can try this great alternative in your meal and baking preparations?
Where to buy potato starch?
If you are looking through your grocery store for this great product, you may have to search several different sections.
If your local grocer doesn’t have it, try those specialty or health food stores that sell all-natural products. If they do not carry it, they may be able to tell you who does.
Finally, you can find just about anything online. Amazon has a fine selection of vendors who are selling potato starch directly to you. It will be advertised in different sizes but not all sizes are available so you may not see the price at first.
Of course, Walmart’s online store has it as do some baking supply outlets.
Where is potato starch located in the grocery store?
This will depend on your grocery store manager. Some may place it in their baking aisle as it is a great ingredient for making your baking products healthier.
Other stores may place it in their kosher aisle or section while still others may have it in their vegan section. It will depend on who is buying the product and where the grocer has space to put it.
If you do not see it at first, try the different sections or ask the store clerk where it can be found. Don’t be surprised if they run out of stock.
How is potato starch sold?
So far, this product is sold in packets or pouches. Their weight can range from 1-pound sizes to 1 1/2 to 2-pound sizes. It all depends on the manufacturer and which sizes they decide to sell their product.
Bulk Food stores may sell it openly without a package or they can sell it in 1, 5, and 25-pound lots. Of course, the more you buy, the cheaper the per pound price will be.
You will just have to check with your store and how they receive this product. Most likely, the majority of this product is sold in packets of 500 grams, 1-pound pouches, or more.
What to look for when you are buying potato starch?
Read the label first. If it says unmodified that would be the best option to buy. Then if you are worried about when potato starch expires you will have a long wait.
If the use-by date is on the package, go by that date. If not, then you can store potato starch in a sealed container for about a year. If there is a date, you can store it at room temperature for three months after the sell-by date.
Or you can store it in the fridge for 6 months and in the freezer for a year. But check the expiration, use-by, or sell-by dates to give you a reference point.
How much does potato starch cost?
This will depend on where you buy this product. Amazon has a wide range of prices with 2 1.5-pound bags going for just over $25. Not all the prices are advertised on that marketplace.
A 50-pound bag will go for $172 at Amazon also. Bulk Food.com will sell their 25-pound case for $101 approx and their 1-pound size sells for $4.95. Walmart has different prices and its 22-ounce size sells for $9.48, while its 8-ounce size sells for just over $5 approx.
Online, Walmart sells different brands for different prices. You can count on health food and organic food stores to be the highest-priced outlets. Then if you go to a baking outlet, you may find the price a little more attractive as one outlet sells a 50-pound bag for $70 approx.
Alternatives
The only alternative form that has been found for potato starch is its size. You can buy it in different sizes but not in different formats.
Some final words
Potato starch is becoming very popular with healthy food-focused people. It is a healthier alternative to wheat flour and it comes with no flavor to it. That means it won’t spoil the taste of your meal or baked goods.
It is as easy to use as corn starch as well as flour so your cooking preparation will not be slowed when you make this substitution. If you do a lot of baking and cooking, this may be the better route to take when you buy your ingredients.
Look for a brand that uses high-quality potatoes and doesn’t contain any additives or preservatives. Check the label to ensure that the product is gluten-free if that is a concern for you.
