Looking to add a twist to your baking? Explore 5 unusual types of flour like teff, coconut, chickpea, buckwheat, and almond flour for unique culinary creation.
Of course, premium wheat flour is the most popular in the world. This is a classic baking flour made from wheat, which serves as the basis for many types of baking. Despite its widespread use and high quality of processing, white wheat flour is considered the most useless. To obtain it, the grain is first ground, the shell is separated from it, and then sifted and bleached. Due to such milling, almost everything useful disappears from it: vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, fiber. In addition, it contains gluten. Whole grain wheat flour is healthier, since the whole grain and all its useful properties are preserved during its preparation. However, today we will turn to other options.
1. Rye flour
It comes in different grinds: coarse (peeled) and fine. Peeled rye flour is useful for diabetics, as it is considered a slow carbohydrate and is broken down in the body gradually, without causing high blood glucose levels. Fragrant bread with rye flour goes well with many dishes.
2. Flaxseed flour
It is considered a real record holder for the amount of protein in its composition. It contains a lot of potassium, B vitamins and dietary fiber. Products made from flaxseed flour (porridge, jelly, pancakes, bread) help improve digestion and saturate the body with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. By the way, ground flax seeds and flaxseed flour are not the same thing, although they are made from the same plant. The difference between them is the presence of flaxseed oil – in ground grains its content reaches 45-48%, while in flour it is absent. But it can be stored for a long time.
3. Rice flour
Rice flour is now available for purchase in many stores. It is considered a source of vegetable protein, as well as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and selenium. In terms of calories, it is almost equal to wheat flour, but is suitable for a gluten-free diet. It is used to make pancakes and fritters, noodles, and make paper for spring rolls.
4. Spelt flour
Spelt is a type of wheat, but spelt flour differs from premium flour or whole wheat flour. It is obtained by grinding the grain once without sifting. This flour is good for the body, including the nervous system, due to the vitamins and microelements in its composition. It also reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular and oncological diseases. Suitable for making bakery products.
5. Oat flour
This type of flour is an excellent source of healthy fiber, which helps reduce hunger. Oat flour contains vitamins A, B, E. Oat flour is extremely crumbly, so it is always combined with other types. For example, flaxseed flour is added to it to make cookies – it gives double the benefit.