Arrowroot Powder (Maranta arundinacea)
Information about Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot has a long history of use by the Arawak, the Taíno, the Nepoya, the Maya and various other indigenous peoples of South America and the Caribbean. The name for this tropical plant comes from the traditional use of the herb by these tribes to treat wounds inflicted by arrows.
Although arrowroot is native to Mexico, South America, the Caribbean, and naturalized in parts of Florida, the herb is cultivated and harvested to produce arrowroot starch in Australia, Africa, the West Indies and Southeast Asia.
Arrowroot is a perennial plant reaching heights of up to 6 feet. The rhizome creeps along, sprouting oval leaves and stems that house clusters of white blooms that grow in pairs.
When the plant is less than a year old, the starch is extracted from the rhizomes, which are washes and pulped and then mixed with clean water. The fibers are hand-wrung to capture the liquor and the starch is dried in the sun.
Origin: Thailand
Active Compounds: Neutral starch of up to 25-27%, albumen, fiber, fat, ash, gum, water.
Plant Part Used: dried rhizome
Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Appearance and Aroma: White odorless powder
Cosmetic Uses: Use arrowroot in body powders as an alternative to talcum powder.
Culinary Uses: Natural thickening agent in soups, sauces, custards, fruit pies and other foods. Suitable for use in gluten-free cooking and baking. Thickens foods at low temperature heating and also freezes well. Tolerates acidic ingredients, but doesn’t work well in milk or cream-based sauces.
Flavour: Neutral
Wellness: Arrowroot is used for convalescents to aid in their nutritional needs.
Aromatic Uses: Acts as a fixative in potpourri mixtures.
Industrial Uses: Once used in papermaking.
Safety: No known warnings regarding use of Arrowroot. However, before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.
This information is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by Health Canada or the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.