What is native tapioca starch (also known as tapioca starch)?
This is a question that many people are interested in.
In this article, I will help you to find out its definition, characteristics, production process, and main applications.
Let’s get started!

1. What is Native Tapioca Starch?

What is Native starch?

Native tapioca starch is a type of starch that is extracted from the cassava root. It is a white, powdery substance that is commonly used as a thickener, stabilizer, and binder in various food and industrial applications. Native starch is considered “native” because it has not undergone any chemical modifications or treatments, making it a natural and unmodified starch. Native starch can be modified to enhance its functionality and performance in different products and processes. And the modified products are called Modified tapioca starch, these products can be applied to the production of products such as Sauces, mayonnaise, cheese, coating peanuts, etc.

2. Properties of Native Tapioca Starch

Native starch has several unique properties that make it useful in various applications. Here are some of the key properties of native starch:

• Neutral taste and odor: Native starch has a neutral taste and odor, which makes it an excellent ingredient for use in foods where the flavor is important.
• High viscosity: Native starch has a high viscosity, which means that it can thicken liquids and create a smooth, creamy texture.
• Good freeze-thaw stability: Native starch has good freeze-thaw stability, which means that it can withstand freezing and thawing without losing its thickening or stabilizing properties.
• Gluten-free: Native starch is gluten-free, which makes it an excellent ingredient for use in gluten-free products.

Overall, these Tapioca starch properties are versatile ingredients that can be used in a wide range of applications, from food and beverage to industrial and pharmaceutical.

3. The production process of Native tapioca starch

Cassava roots in the production of Native starch. Source: EXPORTVN Co.,LTD

Cassava roots in the production of Native starch. Source: EXPORTVN Co.,LTD

Normally, the production process of native starch typically involves the following steps:

1. Cleaning and washing: The harvested tapioca roots are then cleaned and washed to remove dirt, soil, and other debris.
2. Peeling: The washed tapioca roots are then peeled to remove the outer skin.
3. Grating: The peeled tapioca roots are then grated into a fine pulp using a mechanical grater or shredder.
4. Pressing: The grated tapioca pulp is then pressed to remove the liquid.
5. Settling and separating: The liquid is then allowed to settle in a tank, and the starch settles to the bottom while the impurities rise to the top. The starch is then separated from the liquid by filtration or centrifugation.
6. Drying: The separated starch is then dried to remove any remaining moisture, typically using a hot air dryer or oven.
7. Milling: The dried starch is then milled into a fine powder.
8. Packaging: The final step in the production process is the packaging of the tapioca starch into bags or containers for distribution and sale.

Native starch factory. Source: EXPORTVN CO.,LTD

Native tapioca starch factory. Source: EXPORTVN CO.,LTD

Overall, Tapioca starch production is relatively simple and straightforward and can be carried out on a small or large scale depending on the intended use of the starch.

4. Application of native tapioca starch

Native tapioca starch is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various food applications. Native tapioca starch can be replaced corn, potato and wheat starch with similar biological and chemical properties but lower cost. It is widely applied in food industry, paper industry, textile, pharmaceutical, etc.

Here are some of the main applications of Native tapioca starch.

4.1 Application in Food Grade

Native tapioca starch Instant Noodles

Native starch is a widely used ingredient in the food grade due to its unique properties and versatility. It is a popular choice for thickening and stabilizing a wide range of food products, including instant noodles, bakery products, bread, cakes, snacks, rice paper, and vermicelli.
In gluten-free baking, native starch is often used as a substitute for wheat flour to improve the texture and structure of gluten-free baked goods. It is also used to make popular snack products such as tapioca pearls and tapioca chips.
With its neutral taste and natural, gluten-free, and non-allergenic properties, native starch is a valuable ingredient for food manufacturers looking to develop innovative and healthier products for consumers.

Native tapioca starch Bakery

4.2 Application in Paper Industry

Native tapioca starch Paper Industry

Native tapioca starch plays a huge role in the paper industry because of its whiteness, safety, cleanliness, and plasticity. It is also an important ingredient in water retention because of its strong drying properties. Natural tapioca starch is used as a filler or coating agent for certain types of paper and cardboard with its ashless composition.

4.3 Application in Textile industry

Native tapioca starch for Textile Industry

Cassava starch has versatile applications not only in the food industry but also in the textile industry. In textile sizing, it can be used as a warp sizing agent to improve yarn strength, smoothness, and flexibility, and reduce yarn breakage during weaving. It can also be used as a finishing agent to enhance fabric softness, luster, and wrinkle resistance, and as a natural adhesive for bonding fabrics or other materials together. Additionally, it can function as an emulsifier to improve the dispersion of dyes and other chemicals in the fabric. Its natural and eco-friendly properties make it a popular choice in textile processing where a natural, biodegradable adhesive is required.

4.4 Application in modified tapioca starch production

Modified tapioca starch E1422 for Sauces

Native tapioca starch can be used as a starting material for the production of modified tapioca starch, which is a type of starch that has been chemically or physically altered to enhance its properties and performance in specific applications. The modification process involves treating the tapioca flour with various agents, such as acids, enzymes, or oxidizing agents, to modify its molecular structure and properties.
In our company, there are the following popular types of modified tapioca starch:
Alpha Starch (Pregelatinized Starch)
Modified starch E1404 (Oxidized starch)
Modified starch E1412 (Distarch phosphate)
Modified starch E1414 (Acetylated distarch phosphate)
Modified starch E1420 (Acetylated starch)
Modified starch E1422 (Acetylated distarch adipate)
Modified starch E1450 (Starch sodium octenyl succinate)

EXPORTVN CO., LTD – Natural Ingredients for Healthy Foods

Native tapioca starch bag. Source: EXPORTVN Co.,LTD

EXPORTVN CO., LTD is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality Native Tapioca Starch and Modified Tapioca Starch products in Viet Nam. Our company is offering the following products: Native tapioca starch, E1404, E1412, E1414, E1420, E1422, E1450, Pregelatinized, Pre-gelatinized E1422, Cationic, Maltodextrin.

And I am Tony Phan-Export Sales Manager at EXPORTVN Co., LTD.,. EXPORTVN. What I have to do is bring you the products with the best quality at the best price.
Do not hesitate to contact me right now, I will help you solve your problem.