What Are Starches?
Starches are plant-derived carbohydrate ingredients used widely in the food industry to enhance texture, stability, nutrition, and sensory appeal. Common sources include corn, tapioca, potato, and peas. This page describes Gillco’s diverse starch portfolio - ranging from native to clean-label SimPure® options - and highlights applications, functional advantages, and each product’s role in formulation.
Our Starches Offerings
Gillco provides a comprehensive selection of starch products, primarily sourced through trusted partners Cargill and Cosucra:
- Native Corn Starch (Dent based)
- Native Corn Starch (Waxy Maize Based)
- Pre-Gel Instant Corn Starch
- High Amylose Native Corn Starch
- Native Tapioca Starch
- Modified Potato/Tapioca Starch Blend
- Instant Clean Label Modified Potato/Tapioca Blend
- Native Pea Starch
Applications for Starches
Starches are essential for multiple food and beverage product types. Here are their key application categories:
Bakery & Convenience
Starches modify batter adhesion, improve moisture retention, and extend shelf life in baked goods and ready meals.
Beverage & Dairy
Ideal for smoothies, dairy desserts, and sauces; they enhance viscosity, mouthfeel, and stability, even under heat or freeze/thaw stress.
Culinary & Meat
Used in soups, gravies, sauces, emulsions, and meat analogs to improve texture, water binding, and product stability through processing challenges.
Benefits of Starches
Starches deliver versatile functional and clean-label benefits:
- They enhance texture, mouthfeel, and processing performance, maintaining viscosity and stability under stress.
- Label-friendly options like SimPure® offer clean-label appeal by substituting “modified food starch” with ingredient-specific names like “corn starch”. These native starches still perform under high processing conditions found in UHT, retort, or frozen foods.
Native Corn Starch (Dent-Based)
The most traditional form, Native Corn Starch (Dent-Based) is a cost-effective texturizer used in bakery, sauces, and confectionery. It provides reliable viscosity and thickening under standard processing conditions. An excellent go-to for everyday formulations.
Native Corn Starch (Waxy Maize-Based)
This variety offers smoother texture and improved clarity: ideal for applications like dairy desserts or translucent sauces. Its unique properties make it a strong fit where visual appeal and mouthfeel are critical.
Pre-Gel Instant Corn Starch
This starch gelates quickly at lower temperatures, making it ideal for instant or dry-mix applications such as soups, sauces, or puddings. It dissolves readily in cold water, improving convenience and processing efficiency.
High-Amylose Native Corn Starch
With elevated amylose content, this starch forms stronger gels and films. Perfect for nutrition-focused formulations—such as high-fiber products—and as a functional ingredient in clean-label systems needing structural support.
Native Tapioca Starch
Derived from cassava, Native Tapioca Starch is valued for its neutral flavor and soft, gel-like texture. It suits gluten-free products, chewy desserts, and clarity-sensitive applications.
Modified Potato/Tapioca Starch Blend & Instant Clean-Label Blend
These specialty blends create a balance between processing performance and clean-label requirements. Although modified, they may be labeled simply depending on local regulation, and offer functionality in thickening and texture without traditional “modified” label concern.
Native Pea Starch
Made from yellow peas, this starch meets growing demand for plant-based, allergen-friendly ingredients. It delivers creamy texture and light color—ideal for vegan or clean-label bakery and dairy alternatives.
Partner With Gillco for Your Starches Needs
Gillco, in partnership with Cargill and Cosucra, provides comprehensive starch solutions backed by technical expertise and clean-label innovation. Whether you need native corn, tapioca, potato blends, or SimPure® clean-label starches, Gillco supports your application with fast delivery, formulation guidance, and ingredient insight.
From bakery and beverages to culinary, dairy, and meat systems, Gillco ensures you get the right starch for your product’s performance and label goals.