雜貨舖THE GROCER
Water chestnut starch
馬蹄粉
Starch milled from water chestnuts, sold as coarse white lumps in a box (the 泮塘 brand, for example). Mixed with water and steamed it sets clear, firm and springy in a way cornflour cannot. 芝麻卷 (the film roll) uses it as the only starch, and so does water chestnut cake; one box makes both. Asian grocers only in Australia, no supermarket line and no substitute.
Preparation
Dissolve the lumps in cold water and sieve, then stir again just before steaming.
Origin
Pantang, Guangzhou. Boxed water chestnut starch on the Asian grocer's flour shelf; not in supermarkets. Cornflour gives a cloudy, softer roll.
Availability in Australia
Easy to find
Australian name · water chestnut starch (泮塘 box)
Where · Asian grocer flour shelf
If it is not there · No substitute; cornflour gives a cloudy, softer set
Where · Asian grocer flour shelf
If it is not there · No substitute; cornflour gives a cloudy, softer set
