thickener
Gravy's secret ingredient
A thickener is a substance added to liquids to increase viscosity.
Flour and cornstarch are common thickeners in cooking, turning thin liquids into sauces and gravies.
Industrial thickeners appear in paints, cosmetics, and adhesives.
Add the thickener slowly while stirring to avoid lumps.
Maize-derived thickening powder
- arrowrootDigestible tropical starch
- flourMilled grain powder
- tapiocaCassava-derived starch
- pectinFruit-based setting substance
gelatin · agar-agar · guar gum · xanthan gum · locust bean gum · gum arabic · alginate · psyllium
Cooked fat-flour paste
- slurrySemifluid mixture of solids
- reductionMaking something smaller
- egg yolksEggs' nutrient-dense cores
- liaisonConnector between groups
binder · gravy · sauce · stew · chowder · gumbo · custard · pudding
Large repeated-unit molecule
- resinViscous plant secretion
- coagulantAgent inducing clotting
- emulsifierCombines immiscible liquids
- stabilizerThing ensuring steadiness
binder · adhesive · slurry · suspension · latex
Excessively sweet or sentimental
- gelatinousViscous and semisolid
- gooeySoft and sticky
- glueyTending to stick
- ropyForming glutinous threads
viscid · pasty · jellied · congealed · tacky · slimy · gloppy · claggy
Determining or adjusting dimensions
- starchComplex plant carbohydrate
- weaveInterlace strands into fabric
- denimTough cotton twill
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
interfacing · fusible · spray starch · finish
cornstarch
Maize-derived thickening powder
pectin · gelatin · agar-agar · guar gum · xanthan gum · locust bean gum · gum arabic · alginate · psyllium · lecithin
roux
Cooked fat-flour paste
- slurrySemifluid mixture of solids
- reductionMaking something smaller
- egg yolksEggs' nutrient-dense cores
liaison · binder · gravy · sauce · stew · chowder · gumbo · custard · pudding · soup
polymer
Large repeated-unit molecule
- resinViscous plant secretion
- coagulantAgent inducing clotting
- emulsifierCombines immiscible liquids
stabilizer · binder · adhesive · slurry · suspension · latex
syrupy
Excessively sweet or sentimental
- gelatinousViscous and semisolid
- gooeySoft and sticky
- glueyTending to stick
ropy · viscid · pasty · jellied · congealed · tacky · slimy · gloppy · claggy · unctuous
sizing
Determining or adjusting dimensions
canvas · interfacing · fusible · spray starch · finish
- paintshouse paint, primer, basecoat, topcoat, clear coat
- separationseparate, sieving, straining, divide, filtration
- Food Sciencefood science, enzymes, carbohydrates, proteins, pH
- additivesfood coloring, stabilizer, MSG, emulsifier, plasticizers
- cooking agentsbaking powder, baking soda, yeast, active dry yeast, instant yeast
- food additivesemulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, colorants, calcium silicate, lecithin
- the plot thickensSituation becomes more involved
- thickening agentSubstance increasing liquid viscosity
- shaving thickens hairFalse belief about whisker growth