"Michael" > wrote in message
...
> When I use corn starch as a thickener in chinese dishes with sauces,
> (regardless of how much I use), it just doesn't taste the same to me as
what
> you find in many chinese restaurants.
>
> Especially sweet and sour dishes or general chicken.
>
> It seems they use something that gives a clearer, much thicker and more
> "neutral" taste. To me corn starch is more like a "gravy".
>
> Are they just cooking down the sugar to near carmalization or using corn
> syrup maybe? Or?

You're right, it's not the same. That's because they use rice starch which
gives a glistening appearance to the food, and doesn't thicken up as fast as
corn starch.

Gabby