It is very convenient to have kudzu starch when making cold Japanese sweets and jellies.
However, it is not often used in daily life, and not many households have kudzu starch on hand.
It would be a shame to give up on your favorite sweets and dishes because you don’t have kudzu starch.
I don’t have kudzu starch. I don’t know what to do…๐ข๐ข๐ข
In such a case, it is very helpful to know what you can substitute for kudzu starch!
In this article, I’ll introduce you to some of the substitutes for kudzu starch that can be useful when you are in a pinch, so please take a look at them.
What are the characteristics of kudzu starch and what are the points for choosing a substitute?
Kudzu starch is an edible powder made by refining starch from the root of the kudzu plant.
It can be dissolved and used to thicken or harden dishes, and can also be cooled to make Japanese sweets such as kudzu mochi and Mizu-yokan.
It can also be chilled to make Japanese sweets such as kuzumochi and Mizu-yokan. It has a gentle flavor without any peculiarities, so it can be used in any recipe.
It does not interfere with the taste of ingredients, so it is perfect for delicately flavored Japanese sweets and food.
You can choose such kudzu starch substitutes as “those that can thicken” or “those that can solidify sweets and dishes,” depending on the recipe.
Since kudzu starch acts as a coagulant to gelatinize or solidify liquid products, it is a good idea to find one that works similarly.
There are different substitutes to choose from depending on what kind of recipe you want to use kudzu starch in, but you can substitute it with anything you have on hand in any household, so go ahead and look for it!
8 best substitutes for kudzu starch
Kuzu starch substitute 1: Potato starch
Potato starch, which is often used to thicken dishes, is a good substitute for kudzu starch.
Made from potato starch, potato starch can be dissolved and used to thicken bean paste and sauces, so it would be a perfect substitute for kudzu starch.
When substituting potato starch, you can use the same method as when using kudzu starch as is.
However, there is a difference in the finished product when it is chilled, so it is better to substitute it when you want to use it for thickening.
Substitute for kudzu starch 2: Warabi rice cake powder
Warabi rice cake flour, which is necessary to make the irresistibly chewy warabi rice cakes, can also be used in place of kudzu starch.
Just by mixing it with water and heating it, the bracken rice cake flour will easily harden, and this property can be used to replace kudzu starch.
When using bracken rice cake powder as a substitute, you can use it in the same way you would use kudzu starch.
The chewy texture will make it a great substitute for kudzu starch!
Substitute for kudzu starch 3: Cornstarch
Cornstarch, made from corn starch, can also be used in place of kudzu starch.
The way it is usually used is very similar to potato starch, making it a perfect substitute for kudzu starch.
When substituting cornstarch, you can use it just as you would use kudzu starch.
Cornstarch can be used in the same way as kudzu starch, and it will keep its thickness even after it cools down, so you can use it for cold sweets.
Substitute for kudzu starch 4: Gelatin powder
Powdered gelatin, which is used to make jellies, puddings, bavarois, and other sweets, is also a good substitute for kudzu starch.
Gelatin is made from collagen, which is found in animal bones and skin and has the ability to coagulate what used to be liquid.
When substituting powdered gelatin, you can use it as you would use kudzu starch.
Note, however, that gelatin hardens at temperatures below 20 degrees Celsius and collapses at about 25 degrees Celsius.
It’s a good substitute when making cold sweets!
Kuzu powder substitute 5: Powdered agar
Powdered agar made from seaweed can also be used as a substitute for kudzu starch.
It is tasteless, odorless, does not interfere with the taste of ingredients, and dissolves quickly, so it is a very easy substitute to use.
When using agar powder as a substitute, you can use it just as you would use kudzu starch.
It’s easy to use, so you can easily substitute it in making jellies and sweets!
Substitute for kudzu starch 6: Agar
Agar, which is made mainly from seaweed-like agar and is used in a similar way to agar powder and gelatin powder, can also be used in place of kudzu starch.
Agar can be used as a substitute for kudzu starch.
When substituting agar, you can use the same method as when using kuzu powder.
The kuzumochi made with agar is very shiny and beautiful, so please try it.
Substitute for kudzu starch 7: Tapioca flour
Tapioca flour, the base of tapioca, which is very popular among young people today, can also be used instead of kudzu starch, depending on how you use it.
Tapioca flour is characterized by its chunky texture and is a perfect substitute when making kuzumochi.
When using tapioca flour as a substitute, you can use the same method as when using kudzu starch.
However, tapioca flour is hard and sticky, so be sure to adjust the amount and mix it in a little at a time.
Substitute for kudzu starch 8: marshmallows
Marshmallows, a white and fluffy candy, can also be used in place of kudzu starch depending on the recipe and how you use it.
Marshmallows are made with gelatin, so by making use of that, you can substitute the hardening role of gelatin and kudzu starch.
When substituting marshmallow, heat the marshmallow in a pan or microwave to melt it, and then mix it with the other ingredients.
However, since marshmallows contain sugar and other ingredients and are sweetened from the start, it is best to season them less sweetly than the recipe when making candy.
Marshmallows are purchased for Halloween and barbecues, but they are somehow leftover, but if you use them instead of kudzu starch or gelatin, you can digest them more efficiently.
If you have too many marshmallows, you should try substituting them.
Conclusion
- Kudzu starch is an edible starch powder obtained from the root of the kudzu plant and can be used to thicken and harden dishes.
- Substitute kudzu starch should be one that can thicken or harden sweets and dishes.
- The following 8 substitutes for kudzu starch are recommended. [Potato starch, bracken starch, cornstarch, powdered gelatin, powdered agar, agar, tapioca powder, marshmallow].