From Mike the Chief about Potato Starch

[Jaga]

I just received it in the mail today. Very interesting about potato starch. I am also glad to hear that he is OK:

dear jagoda this is mike, finaly getting back to writing people. i had a neck operation after getting hit on the expessway. thank god for my honda bumper! im happy that you are still going on your website, it looks good. i saw you had a question about potato starch, check this out!! arrowroot is mostly used to thicken a sauce or soup that cannot be brought to a steady boil, it thickens at a lower temperature! cornstarch, the chefs choice disolves at 170f and turns clear. great for thickening glazes, fruit fillings and puddings. potato starch mostly used in the candy industry dissolves at 176f and is mostly used in such things as gummy bears candy! a few years back potato starch plants were closed down because the dust particles could actually blow up, so cornstarch took its place!! there was a time in the late sixties that potato starch was used at every local tailor cleaner to starch collars on shirts!! when i get moving around i will send you some cool recipes for the easter holiday! peace mike

[nancy]

It is good to hear that Mike is OK.

That is interesting about potato starch being used to starch collars - God Bless the Potato!! (well, good except for the part about the dust blowing up.)

[piwo]

nancy said:

It is good to hear that Mike is OK.

That is interesting about potato starch being used to starch collars - God Bless the Potato!! (well, good except for the part about the dust blowing up.)

But corn particles do the same thing! Living here in the mid-west, we have grain silo's everywhere. And yes, they blow up and have spontaneous fires quite readily. Working at a grain elevator is hazardous duty!

[gardenmoma]

According to friends who live in Nebraska, sugar beet factories also blow up from time to time. From early chemistry / physics days...I remember "spontaneous combustion."

And, I have ironed many a starched shirt and tablecloth in my time. Finally found a man who 1) didn't like starched shorts and 2) was willing to take his shorts to the local laundry

[nancy]

starched shirts I can understand - but starched shorts??

[suzanne]

Jaga,

That's good that you finally heard from Mike.

I never knew potato startch and other such food items were so explosive!

[gardenmoma]

Ah...slip of the typing finger...I meant shirts not shorts!

However, in the days before permapress, etc. my sister and I did learn to iron on dishcloths (tea-towels!) and our Dad's boxer shorts!