Abstract: Uniform starch particles prepared from one or more starches selected from tapioca, corn, waxy maize, potato, sago, arrowroot and cereal; and one or more gelling hydrocolloids selected from sodium alginate, sodium pectate, hydroxypropylcellulose, methylcellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, methylethylcellulose, carrageenan, furcellaran, agar, gelatin, a mixture of xanthan gum and locust bean gum, and curdlan; by adding water, extruding, cutting and drying; useful in preparing retorted or aseptically packaged, tapioca-style pudding and other improved, edible texturized starch products.