thickeners
Sauce body builders
Thickeners are substances added to liquids to increase their viscosity and give them a more substantial consistency.
In cooking, common thickeners include flour, cornstarch, and gelatin, which transform thin sauces and soups into richer preparations.
Industrial thickeners appear in products from paint to cosmetics, where controlling flow and texture matters.
The gravy needs a thickener—try a cornstarch slurry.
Cooked fat-flour paste
- cornstarchMaize-derived thickening powder
- flourMilled grain powder
- arrowrootDigestible tropical starch
- tapiocaCassava-derived starch
slurry · egg yolks · potato starch · reduction · gravy · sauce · custard · gumbo
Microbial-derived food thickener
- guar gumSeed-based thickening agent
- agar-agarAlgae-based gelling agent
- pectinFruit-based setting substance
- gelatinCollagen-derived thickening protein
locust bean gum · gum arabic · alginate · acacia · chia seeds · flaxseed · psyllium
Without roughness or difficulty
- silkySmooth and lustrous
- velvetySoft and smooth-textured
- creamySmooth and rich
- gelatinousViscous and semisolid
gooey · glossy · dense · firm · elastic · custardy · coating · cling
Fluid's flow resistance
- non-NewtonianViscosity changes with stress
- viscoelasticityCombined fluid-solid deformation behavior
- consistencyReliable adherence to standards
- mouthfeelOral texture perception
body · syrupiness · gelation · viscometer
Ash-derived absorbent clay
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
- caseinDairy phosphoprotein for industry
- cellulosePlant wall polysaccharide
polysaccharide · titanium dioxide · calcium carbonate · kaolin · polyethylene · wax
Natural emulsifying compound
- egg yolksEggs' nutrient-dense cores
- monoglyceridesOne fatty acid on glycerol
- diglyceridesLipids with two fatty acids
- saponinsFoaming plant glycosides
roux
Cooked fat-flour paste
- cornstarchMaize-derived thickening powder
- flourMilled grain powder
- arrowrootDigestible tropical starch
tapioca · slurry · egg yolks · potato starch · reduction · gravy · sauce · custard · gumbo · okra
xanthan gum
Microbial-derived food thickener
- guar gumSeed-based thickening agent
- agar-agarAlgae-based gelling agent
- pectinFruit-based setting substance
gelatin · locust bean gum · gum arabic · alginate · acacia · chia seeds · flaxseed · psyllium
smooth
Without roughness or difficulty
gelatinous · gooey · glossy · dense · firm · elastic · custardy · coating · cling · spreadable
viscosity
Fluid's flow resistance
- non-NewtonianViscosity changes with stress
- viscoelasticityCombined fluid-solid deformation behavior
- consistencyReliable adherence to standards
mouthfeel · body · syrupiness · gelation · viscometer
bentonite
Ash-derived absorbent clay
- silicaSilicon dioxide compound
- clayMoldable earth for ceramics
- caseinDairy phosphoprotein for industry
cellulose · polysaccharide · titanium dioxide · calcium carbonate · kaolin · polyethylene · wax
lecithin
Natural emulsifying compound
- egg yolksEggs' nutrient-dense cores
- monoglyceridesOne fatty acid on glycerol
- diglyceridesLipids with two fatty acids
- Food Sciencefood science, enzymes, carbohydrates, proteins, pH
- additivesfood coloring, stabilizer, MSG, emulsifier, plasticizers
- Cosmetic Ingredientshyaluronic acid, retinol, niacinamide, glycerin, dimethicone
- food additivesemulsifiers, artificial sweeteners, colorants, calcium silicate, lecithin
- chemical additivesadditives, plasticizers, stabilizers, antioxidants, preservatives
- coal processingwashery, clean coal, crushing, screening, sizing
thickenersthinners
Liquids reducing paint viscosity
diluents · solvents · water · liquefiers · emulsifiers