Abstract: A continuous process for the production of starch hydrolysates, such as corn syrup. The process comprises continuously moving an aqueous acidic starch slurry feed through a confined preheat zone at a pressure of at least 300 psi to raise the temperature of the slurry to at least 100.degree. C., continuously forcing the hot fluid mass emerging from the preheat zone through an elongated compressing zone, continuously receiving the fluid material emerging from the compressing zone in the form of a fine spray or mist including water vapor in a confined zone of reduced pressure and continuously collecting from said reduced pressure zone a homogeneous starch syrup having a higher solids content than the starch slurry feed. The temperature and pressure of the hot fluid mass entering the elongated compressing zone and the acidity of the feed slurry can be controlled to selectively provide syrup products having a wide range of DE values.