Thickeners
Thickeners give sauces, soups, gravies, and other foods a thicker consistency. Typical thickeners are flour, cornstarch, and tapioca.
Useful Links:
Thickeners | CraftyBaking | Formerly Baking911
Fun related videos
Martin Breslin: The History of Culinary Thickeners, Science and Cooking Public Lecture Series 2014

Thickening Agent
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Martin Breslin: The History of Culinary Thickeners, Science and Cooking Public Lecture Series 2014
Source: Harvard University
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Thickening Agent
Source: Escoffier Online