The Most Useful Flours

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Today on the market there are countless types of flours from all kinds of plants - millet, rye, wheat, whole grains, nettle flour, oatmeal, chickpeas, coconut, locust bean and many others.

In this article we will look first at how flour is made, and we will list which ones gluten-free flours, and we will compare which ones have what nutritional value in order to understand which of the flours are the most useful, which is our goal.

Our first job is to describe how the flour itself is made in order to get to the point where we will explain which are the most useful flours.

Flour making - technological process

Before you buy flour from the store, it goes through various technological processes and "goes" a long way until it reaches the store shelves and, accordingly, our homes. In general, the processing process is not particularly difficult, but the production of flour itself requires a lot of patience and precision. The first stage of making flour is the one in which the grains or fruits from which the flour will be made are collected. This stage consists of several phases:

First, they must be collected, then sorted, then cleaned if there are unwanted impurities, and only then prepare for the further process.

After these processes, the grains or fruits are crushed and ground until they become a white powder. In this last stage, the consistency of the flour is chosen, which is why it is then divided into fine, semi-coarse and coarse.

Types of flours according to their use

Flours are divided into the following types:

- Fine flour - this flour can be used for pancakes, strudels, confectionery or for thickening soups;

- Semi-coarse flour - This flour can be used for leavened and sponge dough;

- Coarse flour - This flour is used for dumplings, pasta, noodles;

- Baking flour - This flour has a very fine and soft texture, which is suitable for baking crispy cakes;

- Bread flour - This type of flour, as the name suggests, is suitable for baking bread or sourdough;

- Pasta flour - This is a durum wheat flour so that the pasta can retain its shape and density.

Difference between different types of flour

As we said earlier, all kinds of flour can be found on the market. From what we all know - wheat, to tapioca flour. Let's look at some types of flour, the differences between them and how they are useful:

1. Wheat flour

First of all, wheat flour - as we know, wheat is the most famous cereal from which flour is made. It is an interesting fact that in the past wheat flour was a gift only for the rich, the poor did not have the right to use it. Nowadays, many people do not consume wheat flour or wheat, but do not know what benefits it has for our health. In general, wheat contains many important nutrients. It is also a source of a lot of fiber. As we know, fiber intake is extremely important for our health. Wheat also contains many vitamins such as B1, B3, B5, riboflovin and folate. It is also rich in iron, calcium and protein.

2. Einkorn flour

Second, but not least, is einkorn flour. This flour is much more expensive than ordinary, but on the other hand it is extremely useful and healthy. Einkorn flour does not contain any chemicals, is easily absorbed by the body and has a pleasant taste of nuts. It is important to say that einkorn is considered a type of wheat. IN einkorn flour contain the same nutrients as wheat. Unlike wheat grains, those of einkorn are more susceptible to dissolving in water, which makes them extremely easier to digest by our body.

Einkorn has a large amount of protein, thanks to which einkorn is rich in amino acids. Einkorn flour also contains fats, which contain a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids. Einkorn flour is extremely rich in fiber and nutrients. In general, einkorn is mostly composed of sugars, which for the most part are starch, which gives the things you cook with it a richer taste and makes them more fragile. Einkorn flour, thanks to its large amount of fiber, slows down the digestive process, which, in turn, gives a feeling of satiety. It also helps reduce the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Due to the fact that einkorn has a large amount of vitamins and minerals, it improves the function of the immune system, can lower blood sugar levels, and to lower the level of bad cholesterol. With einkorn flour you can prepare bread, pasta, pastries, cakes, biscuits, pancakes and more.

3. Rye flour

The next flour we will look at is rye flour. Rye flour is used to make bread or yeast. Unlike refined wheat flour, rye retains all its useful qualities, as well as nutritional ones. Due to the fact that rye is a rich source of fiber, it causes a feeling of satiety. The fiber contained in rye contains a large amount of non-cellulosic polysaccharides, which have the ability to bind to water and thus give a feeling of satiety. Rye flour reduces bad cholesterol in the body. Rye improves heart health. According to several studies, regular consumption of rye flour significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. A study that lasted 8 weeks compared people who consumed rye flour and those who consumed wheat. The result was that rye flour was more effective at lowering bad cholesterol levels by as much as 14% than wheat.

4. Oatmeal

This type of flour is natural and does not contain gluten, which has a very pleasant taste and silky texture. It is a bit like wheat, but as we said, it is gluten-free flour, and contains much more protein than other flours. Oats contain a large amount of beta-glucans, which is a type of soluble fiber that causes the formation of a gel-like solution in the intestine, which gives a feeling of satiety. And here are some more benefits of oatmeal:

- Helps reduce the level of bad cholesterol;

- Lowers blood sugar levels;

- Increases the feeling of satiety;

- Accelerates the growth of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract;

Oatmeal contains a large amount of antioxidants.

5. Coconut flour

The next flour we will pay attention to is coconut flour. Coconut flour is made from the fleshy part of the coconuts, which is dried and then ground. The resulting powder looks like flour and has a very pleasant aroma and taste. Coconut flour is much richer in protein than other types of flour. It also contains fiber and fat and is very low in carbohydrates. Also in this type of flour there is no gluten. Coconut flour helps a lot in the fight against excess weight because it contains triglycerides. Coconut flour can be used to make a variety of pastries, but you should know that it has a lower density and you should use thickeners or more eggs to get your recipe well.

6. Buckwheat flour

The next flour is buckwheat flour. Buckwheat itself is part of a group of foods that are also called pseudocerals. These are the type of seeds that are used and accepted as cereals, but do not grow like grass. As we know, buckwheat is also popular as a superfood because it contains a large amount of minerals and antioxidants. Buckwheat improves blood sugar levels in the body. It has a low glycemic index, which means that buckwheat flour can be safely consumed by people with type 2 diabetes. Buckwheat flour also contributes greatly to heart health. It contains substances such as rutin, magnesium, copper, fiber and protein. Among all the cereals that belong to the group of pseudocerems, buckwheat is the one that is the best source of rutin, and it is an antioxidant that has the ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

7. Rice flour

The next flour we will look at is rice flourThis type of flour is made by grinding white or brown rice and one of its biggest advantages among other flours is that it is very affordable. Rice flour is the most common substitute for wheat flour. It can be used to thicken various types of recipes, which include chilled or frozen products due to the fact that it absorbs the liquid released from the products. Brown rice is a better source of fiber, vitamins and minerals such as calcium and zinc and has better nutritional value. Rice flour helps with normal liver function.

8. Banana flour

This type of flour is a little better known, but it is a good solution for people who do not consume gluten. As the name suggests, this type of flour is made from bananas, mostly green bananas, and tastes like raw banana. However, after heat treatment, this type of flour loses its taste. Banana flour is rich in prebiotic fiber, which is essential for good intestinal health. In addition, these fibers improve digestion, and in this type of flour they are in the largest quantities. This type of flour is a good source of potassium. Potassium helps the good health of our heart. It also improves and increases muscle strength and speeds up metabolism. Banana flour contains a large amount of resistant starch, which helps diabetics improve their insulin sensitivity and maintain blood sugar levels. Banana flour can be used instead of wheat or white flour.

9. Tapioca flour

Like banana flour, so tapioca flour contains a large amount of resistant starch. It is resistant to digestion and acts as a fiber in the food system. This type of starch has many benefits for our health. It nourishes the good bacteria in our intestines, thus preventing inflammation and reducing harmful bacteria. It also lowers blood sugar levels after meals. Tapioca flour is generally used to thicken dishes.

10. Almond flour

This type of flour is made from ground almonds. First, the almonds are blanched in boiling water to remove the flakes. Then they are crushed and sifted into fine flour. You can also make almond flour at home. This type of flour has a lot of healthy fats and proteins, as well as vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant. Prevents damage caused by free radicals. Almond flour also lowers blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, can be used as a substitute for wheat flour in cakes, pancakes and other desserts.

11. Flax flour

Flaxseed flour is made by grinding the rest of the product obtained after extracting the oil from the flaxseed. Flaxseed flour contains very few carbohydrates, unlike other flours, which makes it extremely good for diets and for weight loss. Flaxseed gives the body a very large amount of fiber and protein, which makes this flour suitable for intake by athletes. This type of flour contains a large amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed flour has the ability to double in volume, making it suitable for thickening soups and sauces. In addition, people who exercise can add it to protein drinks or smoothies.

12. Locust bean flour

This type of flour is made from the pods of evergreen wood, which is common in the Mediterranean region. It is a natural substitute for cocoa. This type of flour is suitable if you decide to eat healthy. This type of flour has a large amount of vitamins such as A, B1, B2, D, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus.

13. Apple flour

As we know, apples have a low glycemic index. They contain between 12 and 15% carbohydrates - pectin, cellulose, glucose, fructose. To make apple flour, well-ripened fruits are used, which are dried well in the sun and then ground to obtain a fine flour. This type of flour has a slightly sour taste and fruity aroma. Gives its characteristic brown color to dishes prepared with it. Can be used in combination with others types of useful flours.

There are many other types of useful flours in the world, but we focused on some of the more famous types of flour. However, before you decide to use any flour, first, be sure to consult a doctor.

See more benefits of chestnut flour and what to cook with corn flour.