Description

Arrowroot is a flavorless white powder that is extracted from the root of a West Indian plant, Marantha Arundinacea. It looks and feels like cornstarch, therefore is mostly used as a thickening agent for fruit pie fillings, glazes, puddings and sauces. However, arrowroot mixtures thicken at a lower temperature than mixtures made using cornstarch or flour.

Arrowroot Plant.

Origin

Arrowroot is indigenous to the West Indies. The Arawaks, native people of the West Indies, used the powder to draw out toxins from people wounded by poison arrows. Its name is thought to be derived from that practice.

Arrowroot Powder is mostly used as a thickening agent.

Use

Arrowroot is mainly used as a thickening agent for fruit pie fillings, glazes, puddings and sauces. Arrowroot makes clear, shimmering, glossy fruit gels and prevents ice crystals from forming in homemade ice cream. One teaspoon of Arrowroot can be substituted for 1 tablespoon of flour, whereas two teaspoons of Arrowroot can be substituted for 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.

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Fried Arrowroot chips.