Maizena vs. Cornstarch: Know the Difference

By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023

Maizena is a brand name for cornstarch in some countries. Cornstarch is a fine, powdery starch made from corn.

Key Differences

Maizena is often used as a term for cornstarch in various parts of the world, particularly in Latin America and Europe. Cornstarch, a common ingredient in cooking, is known for its thickening properties.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Maizena, as a brand, originated in Europe and became synonymous with cornstarch. Cornstarch, derived from the endosperm of corn kernels, is used globally in cooking for thickening sauces and soups.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

In many recipes, Maizena is specified when cornstarch is required, indicating its strong brand presence. Cornstarch, due to its neutral flavor, is ideal for thickening without altering taste.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

The term Maizena is more recognized in certain languages and countries, whereas cornstarch is the general term used in English-speaking countries.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Maizena, being a brand name, represents a specific product. Cornstarch, however, is a generic term for the starch regardless of the brand.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Comparison Chart

Definition

Brand name for cornstarch

Fine, powdery starch from corn

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Origin

European brand

Generic term, global use

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Culinary Use

Thickening agent in recipes

Used for thickening, neutral taste

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Language Affinity

Common in Latin America, Europe

Widely used in English-speaking regions

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Commercial Status

Specific brand

General term for any cornstarch

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Maizena and Cornstarch Definitions

Maizena

A key ingredient in various sauces and desserts.

Maizena helps set the pudding perfectly.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Cornstarch

A starch derived from corn used in cooking.

Cornstarch is great for thickening soups.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Maizena

A gluten-free alternative to flour.

For gluten-free baking, substitute flour with Maizena.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Cornstarch

A neutral-tasting thickener for sauces.

To avoid lumps, whisk cornstarch into cold water first.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Maizena

A household name for cornstarch in many countries.

In our kitchen, we always call cornstarch Maizena.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Cornstarch

Gluten-free thickening agent.

Cornstarch is a good choice for those avoiding gluten.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Maizena

Fine, white powder for culinary thickening.

Add a tablespoon of Maizena for a creamier texture.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Cornstarch

A fine, white, powdery substance.

Sift the cornstarch before adding it to the mixture.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Maizena

A brand of cornstarch popular in cooking.

I used Maizena to thicken the gravy.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Cornstarch

Used in both cooking and industrial applications.

Cornstarch can also be used to make biodegradable plastics.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Maizena

(dated) Cornflour, cornstarch.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Cornstarch

Starch prepared from corn grains, used industrially and as a thickener in cooking.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Cornstarch

A very fine starch powder derived from corn (maize) used in cooking as a thickener, to keep things from sticking, or as an anti-caking agent.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Cornstarch

Starch made from Indian corn, esp. a fine white flour used for puddings, etc.

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Cornstarch

Starch prepared from the grains of corn; used in cooking as a thickener

Shumaila Saeed

Oct 19, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Is Maizena different from cornstarch?

No, Maizena is a brand of cornstarch.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

What is Maizena?

Maizena is a brand name for cornstarch.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Where is Maizena commonly used?

It's popular in Europe and Latin America.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Is cornstarch suitable for baking?

Yes, especially for gluten-free recipes.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Can Maizena be used in sauces?

Yes, it's ideal for thickening sauces.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Can I substitute Maizena for cornstarch in a recipe?

Yes, they are interchangeable.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Is Maizena gluten-free?

Yes, like all cornstarch, it is gluten-free.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

What is cornstarch made from?

It's made from the endosperm of corn kernels.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Is there a taste difference between Maizena and cornstarch?

No, both are flavorless.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Can I use cornstarch in place of Maizena for frying?

Yes, it creates a crispy coating.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

How should cornstarch be stored?

In a cool, dry place.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Is Maizena the same worldwide?

The brand may vary but the product is similar.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Is Maizena suitable for people with corn allergies?

No, it's derived from corn.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Can I use cornstarch to make gravy?

Absolutely, it's a common thickener.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Does Maizena have any non-food uses?

Yes, like cornstarch, it can be used in DIY crafts.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Can cornstarch be used as a thickening agent?

Yes, it's excellent for thickening liquids.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

What are the health benefits of Maizena/cornstarch?

It's low in calories and gluten-free.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Is cornstarch safe for babies?

It's often used in baby powders.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Can cornstarch be used in desserts?

Yes, it's great for puddings and pies.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Can I freeze sauces thickened with Maizena/cornstarch?

Yes, but they may need stirring when reheated.

Shumaila Saeed

Dec 26, 2023

Share this page

Link for your blog / website

HTML

Link to share via messenger

↩ Previous

Subkingdom vs. Infrakingdom

Next ↪

Pilchard vs. Sardine

About Author

Written by

Shumaila Saeed

Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

Trending Comparisons

Poem vs. Poetry

Shumaila Saeed

December 25, 2023

A poem is a piece of writing that expresses ideas and emotions with a distinctive style and rhythm; poetry is the art form of writing such pieces.

LTE vs. CDMA

Shumaila Saeed

February 4, 2024

LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a 4G wireless communication standard with high-speed data transfer, while CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) is an older 2G/3G technology for mobile networks.

Smart TV vs. Android TV

Shumaila Saeed

December 25, 2023

A Smart TV is an internet-connected television with a variety of apps, while an Android TV is specifically a Smart TV powered by Google's Android TV operating system.

Japanese Eyes vs. Chinese Eyes

Shumaila Saeed

December 25, 2023

Japanese Eyes and Chinese Eyes refer to linguistic structures in Japanese and Chinese respectively, each reflecting unique aspects of grammar and syntax.

White Collar Crime vs. Blue Collar Crime

Shumaila Saeed

December 25, 2023

White Collar Crime involves non-violent, financially motivated offenses often committed by professionals, while Blue Collar Crime refers to physical or violent crimes often by manual laborers.

Celsius vs. Kelvin

Shumaila Saeed

January 1, 2024

Celsius is a temperature scale with 0°C as water's freezing point and 100°C its boiling point, while Kelvin is an absolute scale starting at absolute zero (0 K).

Seagate Exos x16 vs. Seagate Exos x18

Shumaila Saeed

February 8, 2024

The Seagate Exos X16 offers up to 16TB storage with a focus on high-capacity data centers, while the Exos X18 upgrades to 18TB, enhancing performance and capacity for enterprise demands.

Social Change vs. Cultural Change

Shumaila Saeed

December 25, 2023

Social change refers to shifts in societal structures and institutions, impacting behaviors and relationships among people. Cultural change pertains to alterations in a group's shared beliefs, values, and customs, influencing their way of life.

NAT vs. PAT

Shumaila Saeed

March 5, 2024

NAT (Network Address Translation) translates private IP addresses to a public one for internet access. PAT (Port Address Translation) maps multiple private IP addresses to a single public IP using different ports.

Assemble vs. Build

Shumaila Saeed

December 25, 2023

Assemble refers to the act of gathering and organizing pre-existing components, while build involves the creation of something new by combining various materials or elements.

Inox vs. Stainless Steel

Shumaila Saeed

January 10, 2024

Inox is a synonym for stainless steel, used mainly in Europe, while stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant alloy containing chromium.

2 Pole Motors vs. 4 Pole Motors

Shumaila Saeed

December 25, 2023

2 Pole Motors have one pair of magnetic poles and run at higher speeds, while 4 Pole Motors have two pairs of poles and operate at lower speeds, offering higher torque.

Oscar vs. Emmy

Shumaila Saeed

February 20, 2024

The Oscar is an award for cinematic achievements, while the Emmy recognizes excellence in television.

Hard Copy vs. Soft Copy

Shumaila Saeed

December 25, 2023

A Hard Copy is a physical version of a document or file, usually on paper, while a Soft Copy is a digital version of the document, stored electronically.

Payment vs. Remittance

Dua Fatima

April 9, 2024

Payment is a transfer of money for goods or services, while remittance involves sending money to a distant location, often overseas.

ISO 9000 vs. ISO 14000

Shumaila Saeed

February 13, 2024

ISO 9000 focuses on quality management and customer satisfaction, whereas ISO 14000 concentrates on environmental management and reducing environmental impact.

Gorilla Glass 3 vs. Gorilla Glass 5

Shumaila Saeed

January 1, 2024

Gorilla Glass 3 offers improved scratch resistance and durability compared to its predecessors, while Gorilla Glass 5 focuses on enhanced drop protection and toughness.

Gorilla Glass vs. Panda Glass

Shumaila Saeed

January 5, 2024

Gorilla Glass is a highly durable, scratch-resistant glass used in electronic devices, while Panda Glass is a similar protective glass known for its high transparency and toughness.

Nike Air Force 1 LE vs. Nike Air Force 1 ’07

Hifza Nasir

April 16, 2024

Nike Air Force 1 LE often represents limited edition releases with unique designs, while Nike Air Force 1 '07 is a modern version of the classic, maintaining the iconic style with updated materials.

Analog Computer vs. Digital Computer

Shumaila Saeed

December 25, 2023

An Analog Computer processes continuous data, whereas a Digital Computer processes data in discrete numerical form.

Grand Opening vs. Soft Opening

Shumaila Saeed

December 25, 2023

A Grand Opening is a highly publicized and celebratory launch of a business or venue, while a Soft Opening is a more subdued trial opening, often with limited services or a smaller audience.

Ginger vs. Redhead

Shumaila Saeed

February 2, 2024

"Ginger" often connotes a fiery red hair color and a pale complexion, while "redhead" is a more general term for anyone with red hair, regardless of shade or skin tone.

Catapult vs. Trebuchet

Shumaila Saeed

January 4, 2024

A catapult is a ballistic device using tension or torsion to launch projectiles, while a trebuchet is a type of catapult using a counterweight for greater force and distance.