AbstractCold water soluble polysaccharides (CWX) extracted from taro were tested for their influence on the pasting properties of taro starch and 3 other commercial starches (maize, rice and wheat). Addition of taro CWX resulted in increased peak viscosity with maize and rice starch and a decrease in peak viscosity with wheat starch. Cold paste viscosity was decreased in wheat and taro starch, but not in maize and rice starch. Examination of the effect of pH and salt on changes in maize starch viscosity showed no further variation on addition of taro CWX.