Tapioca Starch

Modernist chefs have adopted tapioca starch, which comes in various more or less modified forms, because of its neutral flavor and unobtrusive mouthfeel. Often marketed under the names Ultra-Sperse 3 or Ultra-Tex 3 and 8, each of these has slightly different thickening characteristics. Ultra-Sperse 3 is usually used in concentration from 0.2% to 5%, while Ultra-Tex 8 is usually used from 1% to 6%. Plain tapioca starch, sometimes labeled tapioca flour, is commonly available at grocery stores, but it is inconsistent and thickens less effectively then pretreated starches such as Ultra Sperse and Ultra-Tex.