The Best Flour for Pancakes or Muffins: 4 Criteria for Choosing

Flour is a strategically important product that is a must-have in any housewife’s kitchen cabinet. It can be used to make pancakes or bake bread in case you don’t have it in the stores.

How to identify the highest-grade flour – varieties

You will see only four types of baking flour on sale:

  • “Extra” and “Superior” varieties – made of refined grain fine grinding, color – snow-white, suitable for biscuits and sweet muffins.
  • “First” – coarse grinding with particles of grain shells, such flour is suitable for pancakes and unsweetened baked goods.
  • “Second” grade – flour of gray color, is obtained from the grinding of whole grain, it has the most useful substances, and it is also good for baking bread, and pizza dough, as well as for the preparation of dumplings and dumplings.
  • “General purpose” – used, most often, only in production, is labeled “M” – soft wheat and “MK” – soft wheat coarse grinding.

An important point: flour of the highest grade, contrary to popular misconception, does not carry any benefits – it is made from a part of the grain, which has very few vitamins, but a lot of starch.

What is the best flour and how to choose it in the store

If you do not want to spend money in vain and want to buy a quality product, follow four important tips:

  • Buy flour in paper or cardboard packaging;
  • If you squeeze the package, the flour inside becomes slightly crispy, a sign of a quality product;
  • The weight indicated on the package corresponds to the actual weight;
  • the maximum shelf life of the flour is 6 months.

The last point is especially interesting – if the manufacturer indicates that the flour can be stored for more than a year, it means that preservatives have been added to it. Many housewives buy flour “to spare” and store it for years. If you do the same, it will be useful to know how to properly store flour so that it does not become infested with pests.

How to determine if the flour is good enough at home

To make sure that you bought a quality product, pour the flour on the table and look at the consistency. The flour should be homogeneous, with no larger flecks and no extraneous additives. Then try rubbing it between your fingers – a quality product is squeaky and crumbly. If the flour rolls into a lump, it means it’s damp. How to identify premium flour – varieties
You will see only four types of baking flour on sale:

  • “Extra” and “Superior” varieties – made of refined grain fine grinding, color – snow-white, suitable for biscuits and sweet muffins.
  • “First” – coarse grinding with particles of grain shells, such flour is suitable for pancakes and unsweetened baked goods.
  • “Second” grade – flour of gray color, is obtained from the grinding of whole grain, it has the most useful substances, and it is also good for baking bread, dough for pizza, as well as for the preparation of dumplings and dumplings.
  • “General purpose” – used, most often, only in production, is labeled “M” – soft wheat and “MK” – soft wheat coarse grinding.

An important point: flour of the highest grade, contrary to popular misconception, does not carry any benefits – it is made from a part of the grain, which has very few vitamins, but a lot of starch.

What is the best flour and how to choose it in the store

If you do not want to spend money in vain and want to buy a quality product, follow four important tips:

  • Buy flour in paper or cardboard packaging;
  • If you squeeze the package, the flour inside becomes slightly crispy, a sign of a quality product;
  • The weight indicated on the package corresponds to the actual weight;
  • the maximum shelf life of the flour is 6 months.

The last point is especially interesting – if the manufacturer indicates that the flour can be stored for more than a year, it means that preservatives have been added to it. Many housewives buy flour “to spare” and store it for years. If you do the same, it will be useful to know how to properly store flour so that it does not become infested with pests.

How to determine if the flour is good enough at home

To make sure that you bought a quality product, pour the flour on the table and look at the consistency. The flour should be homogeneous, with no larger flecks and no extraneous additives. Then try rubbing it between your fingers – a quality product is squeaky and crumbly. If the flour rolls into a lump, it means it is damp.

You can also taste the flour – it should be neutral. If you feel bitterness or a musty smell, it is better to throw away such flour and not eat it. Some housewives dilute a small amount of flour with water in a ratio of 1:1. If the flour remains white and no sediment forms at the bottom of the container, it means that the product is of good quality.

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Written by Emma Miller

I am a registered dietitian nutritionist and own a private nutrition practice, where I provide one-on-one nutritional counseling to patients. I specialize in chronic disease prevention/ management, vegan/ vegetarian nutrition, pre-natal/ postpartum nutrition, wellness coaching, medical nutrition therapy, and weight management.

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