Why is corn starch a good thickening agent

Question

anonymous · Answer

Cornstarch is actually a flour. It is the endosperm of corn kernels that has been dried and ground, much the same way that wheat flour is made (in England cornstarch is actually called cornflour). Like other flours, cornstarch makes a good thickening agent.  Does this answer your question?

anonymous · Answer

hello?

jamesj · Answer

Nice answer: but why is flour in general a good thickening agent?

anonymous · Answer

because it contains hydrocolloid: a substance with particles of colloidal size that is greatly attracted to water and absorbs it readily; colloidal materials such as vegetable gums, that bind water and have thickening and/or gelling properties; large molecules, such as those that make up vegetable gums, that form colloidal dispersions, hold water, and often serve as thickeners and stabilizers in processed foods.

anonymous · Answer

@jamesJ who's asking the questions around here? lol ;)

jamesj · Answer

Just teasing the answer out. ;-)

anonymous · Answer

well thanks :)