EZ Elements supplies three distinct starches that formulators regularly compare when choosing a thickening or gelling ingredient: ColFlo 67, Ultra-Sperse 3, and Melojel. Each one solves a different formulation problem, and understanding what sets them apart can save a lot of trial and error at the pilot bench.
What Is ColFlo 67?
ColFlo 67 is a waxy maize-based, cook-up-style modified starch. It is cooked into a formulation the way a traditional starch would be, and once cooked, it holds its texture through repeated freeze-thaw cycles far better than native starches, which tend to weep and lose structure in cold storage.
What Is Ultra-Sperse 3?
Ultra-Sperse 3 is a tapioca-based, cold-water-swelling (CWS) modified starch. It thickens instantly in cold or hot liquids without a cooking step, making it suited to instant puddings, no-cook sauces, and other applications where speed and a smooth, glossy finish matter most.
What Is Melojel?
Melojel is a food-grade corn starch derived from dent corn. Unlike ColFlo 67 and Ultra-Sperse 3, Melojel is a native, unmodified starch, and it is prized specifically for what that gives it: a strong, firm gel once a cooked dispersion cools, with a smooth, short texture and clean set that many modified starches cannot fully replicate. For confectionery, icings, and dessert applications where a firm, well-defined set is the goal, Melojel is often the better choice.
Because it is unmodified, Melojel is best suited to preparations that are consumed within a normal shelf window rather than products requiring extended cold storage, since native starch gels can be prone to syneresis, or water release, under prolonged refrigeration or freezing. Within its intended use case, though, Melojel remains a reliable, cost-effective gelling starch.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Property | ColFlo 67 | Ultra-Sperse 3 | Melojel |
| Starch Source | Waxy maize | Tapioca | Dent corn |
| Modification | Chemically modified (cross-linked) | Chemically modified (cold-water-swelling) | Native, unmodified |
| Processing Type | Cook-up starch | Instant, no cooking required | Cook-up starch |
| Key Advantage | Freeze-thaw stability through repeated cold storage cycles | Quick, instant thickening without a cooking step | Strong, firm gel with a clean, well-defined set |
| Best Storage Fit | Frozen and refrigerated products with extended cold storage | Ambient, refrigerated, or frozen; no cooking needed to thicken | Freshly prepared products consumed within a normal shelf window |
| Typical Applications | Frozen pie fillings, sauces, retort processed foods | Instant puddings, no-cook sauces and fillings, food service | Confectionery, icings, glazes, gravies, dairy desserts |
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose ColFlo 67 if your process includes a cooking step and the finished product needs to survive freezing and thawing.
- Choose Ultra-Sperse 3 if you want a starch that thickens instantly, without any cooking step, ideal for fast turnaround and no-cook formulations.
- Choose Melojel if you want a strong, firm, well-defined gel and your product will be prepared and consumed within a normal shelf window, such as confectionery, icings, or fresh dairy desserts.
Applications
All three starches serve Food & Beverage formulation, with the best choice depending on process and storage conditions rather than one starch being universally better than another.
- ColFlo 67 Frozen fruit pie fillings, frozen sauces and gravies, retort processed soups and stews, and any cooked product that needs to hold its texture through repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Ultra-Sperse 3 Instant puddings and creams, no-cook sauces and fillings, and food service applications where a smooth, glossy texture is needed quickly, without a cooking step.
- Melojel Confectionery such as fudge and nougat, icings and glazes, fresh gravies and sauces, and dairy desserts where a strong, well-set gel is the goal and extended cold storage is not required.
Why Choose EZ Elements for Your Starch Needs
Whichever starch your formulation calls for, EZ Elements supplies all three with the documentation Canadian food manufacturers need.
- Full documentation, including Technical Data Sheets, Certificates of Analysis, and Safety Data Sheets, for every starch we supply
- Available in a range of package sizes with transparent, competitive pricing
- A Canadian technical support team to help you choose between cook-up, instant, and native starch systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Melojel a modified starch like ColFlo 67 and Ultra-Sperse 3?
No. Melojel is a native, unmodified corn starch, while ColFlo 67 and Ultra-Sperse 3 are both chemically modified. That does not make Melojel a lesser choice, its native structure is exactly what gives it the strong, firm gel formulators reach for in confectionery and dessert applications.
Q2: Why is Melojel not recommended for extended cold storage?
Native starch gels like Melojel can be prone to syneresis, or water release, under prolonged refrigeration or freezing. This is a normal characteristic of native starches rather than a defect, and it simply means Melojel is best matched to products consumed within a normal shelf window, while ColFlo 67 is the better fit when extended cold storage is required.
Q3: Can Ultra-Sperse 3 replace Melojel in a recipe?
Not directly. Melojel is chosen for its strong, firm gel after cooking and cooling, while Ultra-Sperse 3 is chosen to avoid cooking altogether and does not set into the same type of firm gel. The right substitution depends on the texture and process your formulation needs.
Q4: Where can I buy ColFlo 67, Ultra-Sperse 3, or Melojel in Canada?
All three are available directly from EZ Elements in a range of package sizes, with supply options for food manufacturers across Canada. Visit our website to view current promotions and offers.
Related Ingredients
The following EZ Elements ingredient is also used as a thickening alternative:
- Xanthan Gum (200 Mesh) A polysaccharide thickener sometimes used as a clean-label alternative to modified or native starches.
Order or Enquire
Looking to buy ColFlo 67, Ultra-Sperse 3, or Melojel? Contact EZ Elements for current pricing, full product documentation, and available package sizes. Visit our website to view current promotions and offers. We supply food manufacturers across Canada.
