Cornflour is a light-textured flour made from corn (also called maize). It is one of the most demanding ingredients in many recipes because the delicious gravies and sauces are thickened using cornflour. The crispy tofu and other fried food items are made crispier using cornflour as a coating. It is also used extensively in baked goods.
Corn flour is also used in sponge cake recipes and custard as well. This taste-enhancing ingredient is a staple in every kitchen. However, when it comes to gluten allergies and celiac disease, one has to remain cautious while using everyday items. One might wonder if corn is gluten-free or not. Well, worry no more. This article proves that corn flour is gluten-free and a safe ingredient to use in your recipes.
What Is Gluten?
Gluten is a structural protein that is found in BROW (Barley, Rye, Oats, Wheat) cereals. This protein provides no nutritional value and does not perform any significant function in the normal human body. However, certain people have an immune response which is triggered by consuming gluten.
Gluten can cause inflammation of intestinal tracts and other body parts in people who are allergic.
Understanding Gluten-Free Diet
A gluten-free diet helps people with celiac diseases to prevent allergic reactions. Such people follow a strict diet plan in which they have to avoid gluten from entering their bodies. Gluten-free foods should not include, even traces of, wheat, barley, oats, and rye. Gluten may also enter processed and canned food through cross-contamination.
Food companies mention “Gluten-free” on their packages to make sure people buy the correct item. However, people should also make sure that there are no traces present by reading the ingredient list in detail before buying any packaged or processed food item.
Is Cornflour Gluten-free?
Cornflour does not contain gluten because it is made from milled maize or corn. Corn is not one of the BROW cereals, therefore, it is safe to consume by people who are allergic to gluten. Cornflour can be used to create all vegan-friendly and gluten-free recipes.
If you were worried about whether to consume corn flour thicken sauces or not, then here is some good news for you. Cornflour that is made purely of corn does not contain gluten.
You can easily try the best corn flour recipes that you love, without having to fear for your health. However, when buying corn flour you should pay extra attention that it is made purely from corn. There should not be any kind of cross-contamination from other flours. If the corn flour is contaminated, it might contain gluten and can pose risks to those who are allergic.
Final Thoughts
Gluten is a protein that can cause immune reactions in people who are allergic or have celiac disease. Such people have to follow a strict diet and make sure that they do not accidentally consume gluten. Corn flour is one of the staples in the kitchen, however, due to its origin from maize, it does not contain gluten and it is safe for use.
