Başak Mısır Nişastası is corn starch in a 200 g carton. A UK retailer listing gives corn starch as the only ingredient and Türkiye as the country of origin. It is a fine, pale powder with a neutral taste, so it thickens a dish without changing its flavour.
The usage panel on the Başak carton lists muhallebi, sütlaç, krem karamel, kazandibi, tavuk göğsü, cookies and baklava, which sums up its role in Turkish cooking: it gives milk desserts their smooth, creamy body. It also thickens sauces, soups and fruit compotes. Dissolve it first in a little cold milk or water so it does not form lumps, then stir it into the hot liquid and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. In baking it gives a tender, crumbly texture to un kurabiyesi and similar cookies.
The pack label gives, per 100 g: 381 kcal, 0.1 g fat, 91 g carbohydrate, 0 g sugars, 0.9 g fibre, 0.3 g protein and 0 g salt. The label also states that it may contain traces of gluten (wheat) and milk, so it is not suitable for anyone who must strictly avoid these. Keep the carton closed in a cool, dry place.