What is plain flour, maida, all purpose flour? glossary, uses

🍚 Understanding Plain Flour in India: The Significance of Maida

In the Indian context, plain flour is universally known as Maida. It is a type of refined wheat flour that is finely milled after the bran (outer layer) and germ have been removed from the wheat grain, leaving behind only the starchy endosperm. This process results in its characteristic super-fine, soft texture and white colour, often enhanced by natural or mechanical bleaching. Unlike Atta (whole wheat flour) which is used for everyday flatbreads like roti and chapati, Maida is significantly lower in fibre and protein (gluten), which is why it is preferred for achieving a specific light, fluffy, and tender texture in many Indian delicacies.

🎂 Maida as the Base for Sweets and Bakery Items

Maida is the undisputed star in the creation of many traditional Indian sweets (mithai) and bakery products. Its ability to produce a soft crumb and stretchy dough makes it essential for preparations like Naan and Tandoori Roti (leavened flatbreads often made in a clay oven), the famous deep-fried, fluffy Bhatura (served with chhole), and a variety of biscuits and cakes. The fine texture of Maida is also crucial for festival sweets such as the crispy, syrup-soaked Jalebi and the rich, fudge-like Maida Barfi or Maida Cake, showcasing its versatility from leavened breads to dense confections.

🥟 Indispensable in Indian Street Food and Snacks

The widespread popularity of Maida is perhaps most visible in the realm of Indian street food and savoury snacks. Its unique dough-handling properties allow for the creation of delicate, crispy shells and coverings that are central to these dishes. Iconic snacks like the deep-fried, pastry-filled Samosa and the various types of Kachori rely on Maida for their satisfyingly flaky and crunchy outer layer. Furthermore, the small, fried crackers known as Papdi (used in chaat) and the long-lasting, tea-time nibblers like Namak Paare are all primarily crafted using this refined wheat flour.

🛍️ Availability: A Staple Across All of India

A major factor contributing to Maida's omnipresence is its phenomenal availability across the Indian subcontinent. Found under the official name "Refined Wheat Flour," it is an essential ingredient in every grocery store, from metropolitan supermarkets to the smallest kirana (corner) shop in a remote town or village. It is produced by large, organized mills, as well as smaller regional grinders, ensuring a continuous and widespread supply chain. Its excellent shelf life also means it can be stored easily, making it a reliable and constant presence in the Indian pantry.

💰 Affordability and Economic Factor

Maida is also highly prized for its affordability, often making it an extremely cost-effective option compared to certain specialty flours. The high yield of the fine white flour from the endosperm of the wheat grain contributes to its relatively low price point in the market. This economic factor has made it a flour of choice not only for households with limited budgets but also for the commercial food industry, including bakeries, sweet shops, and street food vendors, where cost control and consistency of texture are crucial for mass production.

How to Select plain flour, maida, all purpose flour

• Maida is available in various pack sizes from various brands. Choose the pack size that suits your needs.

• Buy well-packed flour, pure white in colour, and smooth and powdery in texture. Avoid pale yellow-coloured flour.

• Flour is sometimes labelled as pre-sifted. This means that the flour was sifted before packaging but it compacts during shipping and handling and therefore is no longer sifted by the time you get it home. So, always sift again before use.

Culinary uses of plain flour, maida, all purpose flour

• Plain flour is extensively used in the preparation of white breads.

• In India, maida is used to make pastries and other bakery items like bread, biscuit, toast etc.

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Plain Flour is used in Indian dishes from Baked Vada Pav and Maida Dosas, to Aloowali Roti and Aloo Cheese Croquettes, from Aloo Kulcha to Moong Dal Kachori, this article introduces you to a range of dishes made with plain flour (maida). 

Plain flour is used in many popular Indian snack recipes. The dough for Indian snacks is made for moong dal kachori, Matar ki kachori and pyaz ki kachori. 

Plain flour used in Indian Desserts. Ever wonder why the desserts seem to taste that good! Try from homemade jalebi, gulab jamun to kala jamun. 

 When used in baking, flour contributes body and structure, texture and flavour to the product. It binds the ingredients together and supports the batter.

• Flour is often used as a coating for foods that are fried. Flour-coated food develops a crisp, flavourful crust, and an interior that is tender and juicy.

• It is also used for a wide range of other purposes, from thickening sauces to baking breads, cakes, pizzas and a whole range of flour based Indian and international sweets.

• Plain flour dough is used to make unleavened Indian breads like naan, puri, paratha and chappathi.

Malabar paratha recipe | Kerala parotta | Indian Malabar parotta | flaky paratha

Kerala parotta or Malabar paratha is a unique dish from South Indian cuisine which is very common in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is a common street food and a restaurant food as well.

• It can also be used to thicken sauces, creams and pie fillings.

• Plain flour is also used to dusk cake pans and counters to prevent batters and bread dough from sticking to surfaces.

• Flour can also be used to coat fruits and nuts before adding to batters, thus preventing them from sinking to the bottom of the pan when baked.

How to Store plain flour, maida, all purpose flour

• Flour is best kept in a cool, dry, dark place in a food grade, breathable jar. Plain flour can be preserved better in just breathable containers than in air-tight ones.

• Warm, damp conditions cause the flour to become caked and packed, and also encourage the growth of microorganisms, causing the flour to spoil. So, always store in a dry container in a dry place.

• Flour readily absorbs odours and moisture. So, care should be taken to ensure flour products are stored away from onions and other goods with strong odours.

• If properly stored, flour can be preserved for up to eight months. To preserve it even longer, store the flour tightly-wrapped in a refrigerator.

• Throw away the flour if you detect any bad smell or infestation by weevils.

• Put a bay leaf in the flour canister to help protect against insect infections. Bay leaves are natural insect repellents.

Health Benefits of plain flour, maida, all purpose flour! is it healthy? Maida (plain flour) which is refined carb not suitable for healthy lifestyle. Maida consumption in any food should be totally avoided or use in very small quantities as any consumption of this will cause a larger spike in blood sugar levels which is not good for diabetics, heart patients. The development of prediabetes comes from uncontrolled eating sugar and refined food products for many years and the classic symptom is if you have excess belly fat. This leads to diabetes and further onwards to heart attack, high blood pressure, strokes, impotence and kidney damage.  Read is maida good for you to understand fully.