Bulk arrowroot flour is one of the most popular products in the Source86 bulk catalog, and in an increasingly health-conscious market, it’s easy to understand why. Versatile, nutritious, and flavor-neutral, using arrowroot is one of the easiest ways to adapt recipes and products to appeal to more health-conscious consumers.
In this article, we explore the different ways you can use arrowroot in cooking to create delicious gluten-free, paleo-friendly, vegan recipes while unlocking a host of nutritional benefits.
Let’s dive in!
What is arrowroot?
Arrowroot flour, also known as arrowroot powder or arrowroot starch, is derived from the tropical arrowroot plant, maranta arundinacea, grown mostly in the Caribbean. It generally takes the form of a finely ground flour made by extracting the starch from the tuber or rhizome of the plant. Once arrowroot tubers are dug up, they’re cleaned and peeled before being ground into a paste. The rhizome paste is then mixed with water and carefully strained to separate the starch from the plant fibers. This starchy liquid is left to settle. Once the starch sinks to the bottom of the production tank, the water is drained away and the remaining solids are gathered and dried before being ground into a fine powder, ready for use.
Arrowroot is planted in the spring and harvested six months later, usually between October and May.
6 brilliant benefits of arrowroot flour
Arrowroot has a number of qualities that make it perfect for healthier recipes.
Flavour-neutral
Arrowroot flour is almost entirely flavorless, which means it can be incorporated into recipes as a functional ingredient without affecting taste.
Excellent for specialized dietary requirements
Arrowroot flour is gluten-free, vegan, and Paleo-friendly. Its thickening and binding properties make it an easy and effective substitute for eggs and gelatin.
Easy to digest
Arrowroot flour is easily digestible, making it particularly beneficial for children, the elderly, and people with digestive problems. A small study suggests that arrowroot can actively alleviate pain and other symptoms associated with digestive issues.
Low-calorie
Arrowroot flour is low in calories with a low glycemic index, helping to stave off hunger for longer. This makes it an excellent choice for weight management programs and people with diabetes.
High in nutrients
Arrowroot is packed with nutrients, including calcium, potassium, iron, and B-vitamins, which are crucial for supporting metabolic function, regulating blood pressure, and boosting heart health.
Anti-inflammatory properties
Studies show that arrowroot may have beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to clear out toxins from the body.
How to use arrowroot in recipes
There are several ways arrowroot flour can be used in recipes to make them gluten-free, vegan, or simply healthier.
As a thickener
Whisked together with a cold liquid such as water in a 1:2 ratio, arrowroot can replace cornstarch as a thickening agent in soups, stews, and sauces. Be sure to make a slurry first before adding the arrowroot to the mix to prevent clumping. While arrowroot does not need to reach boiling point to thicken, it’s generally advised that you add it toward the end of the cooking process to avoid denaturing.
As a binding agent
Arrowroot flour can substitute eggs as a binding agent in baking to create light, fluffy cakes, and perfectly crumbed cookies. Two tablespoons of arrowroot flour to one tablespoon of water is the equivalent of one egg.
In gluten-free baking
Arrowroot is completely grain-free, which means it’s excellent for gluten-free baking. Blend it with other gluten-free flours, such as almond or coconut flour, or add it to your batter or dough to increase the crispiness of your baked goods.
Add crisp when roasting or frying
A dusting of arrowroot powder on vegetables, potatoes, or meats before frying or roasting creates a delicious crisp coating, similar to cornstarch.
Hit the bullseye on arrowroot sourcing with Source86
If you’re looking to unlock the benefits and versatility of arrowroot powder for your customers, you’ve come to the right place. Source86 is a trusted importer of bulk arrowroot, including freeze-dried options, and we’re able to source and secure high-quality arrowroot from vetted, trusted manufacturers and vendors around the world in bulk quantities for our phenomenal clients.
But it’s not just the quality of our certified ingredients that sets us apart. We go above and beyond to offer off-the-charts customer service and make sure you’re always in stock, on time, leveraging our established network of bulk and wholesale arrowroot manufacturers and suppliers.
Your easy inventory journey starts here. Get in touch with our sales team to find out more about bulk arrowroot sourcing for your business by following the link below.
