Guide To Normal and Artisan Flours
Ma Ka Kitchen stocks a wide range of flours/attas designed for any diet or occasion, but if you don't have a mother quite as versed in ancient grains and history, it can be quite a daunting affair to figure out what is what and which is best for what purpose.
So we have created this handy guide to help you navigate this as for those with specific allergies, some of these lesser known flours can change the game for you :).
Check it out!
Atta (Wheat Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Atta |
| English Name: | Whole Wheat Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Indian Atta is typically stone ground to a very fine flour in a "plate/disk mill" called a chakki, This method causes more "damage" to the starch and protein, which releases more sweetness, and it also generates heat, which can lightly toast the flour and give it a roasted taste. Atta also absorbs more water, which makes doughs for flat breads (such as chapati) softer, but doesn't work as well for traditional sandwich loaves. |
| Is It Gluten Free: | No. |
| Common Things Made From: | Roti, Chapati, Paratha, Puri |
| Religious Significance? | N/A |
| What Does It Taste Like: | Atta is often referred to as having a sweet, yet slightly bitter taste and it is the most common taste you'll get when getting a Roti from an Indian Restaurant |
| Known Benefits: | whole wheat flour or atta is a good source of complex carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamin B1, B3, B5, riboflavin and folate. It also has a good amount of calcium and iron |
Besan (Check Pea Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Besan |
| English Name: | Chick Pea Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Chickpea flour is made from dry chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. A similar flour made from yellow gram lentils, which are split chickpeas is called gram flour. Split chickpea flour is called Besan in Hindi. You will find both of these commonly referred to as Chickpea flour. |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: | Gluten free versions of Roti, Paratha and So On. A coating for vegetables in making Pakora It is also used in making sweets such as Besan Ki Ladoo and Mysore Pak |
| Religious Significance? | N/A |
| What Does It Taste Like: | It has a fairly neutral, slightly nutty, slightly “bean-y” flavour that lends itself well to both savoury and sweet dishes. |
| Known Benefits: | Chickpea flour is full of vitamins and minerals, with 1 cup (92 grams) providing 101% of the RDI for folate and over a quarter of your daily needs for several other nutrients. It is full of Vitamin A, B, C and D. It is a good source of iron, potassium, magnesium and calcium. It is a rich source of protein and fiber. It is gluten-free and low in fat. Besan is low in carbohydrates. Besan is also great for your skin. It can help tighten pores, reduce acne and lighten your skin. |
Jaun Ki Atta - (Barley Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Jaun Ki Atta |
| English Name: | Barley Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Barley flour is a fine powder made by grinding whole barley grain. Along with many other flours, it can be used to replace part of the wheat flour in a recipe for a different flavor and texture |
| Is It Gluten Free: | No |
| Common Things Made From: | Healthier alternative for Flat Bread (Roti, Paratha) Also used for or in conjunction with other flours for bread dough, quick breads, rye bread and more. q |
| Religious Significance? | N/A |
| What Does It Taste Like: | Barley flour has a sweet, nut-like flavour |
| Known Benefits: | As a whole grain, barley provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These offer various health benefits. Consuming a diet rich in whole grains may help reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, and other chronic health concerns. |
Soya Atta - (Soy Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Soya Atta |
| English Name: | Soy Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Soy flour is derived from roasted soybeans finely grounded into a powder. |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: | Soy flour is used as an alternative to Wheat flour in flat breads as a healthier, gluten free option. Soy flour can be used coarsely powdered as a thickening agent in gravies and sauces, or it can be added, finely powdered, to baked goods. It is used extensively to make fudge and other candies, pies, doughnuts, cakes and rolls, pasta, pancake mixes and frozen desserts. |
| Religious Significance? | N/A |
| What Does It Taste Like: | It is golden tan in color and has a powdery texture similar to that of all-purpose flour. It has a warm, toasted, and nutty aroma, and its flavors are similar to its aroma, and slightly reminiscent of roasted peanuts. |
| Known Benefits: | Soy flour is rich in vitamins, minerals, isoflavones and lecithin, nutrients proven to help lower cholesterol, prevent cancer and loss of bone mass. Soy is strongly recommended for diabetics, expectant mothers, growing children, cardiac patients, weight-watchers and the aged. |
Makki Ki Atta (Corn/Maize Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Makki Ki Atta |
| English Name: | Corn/Maize Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Makki Corn Flour is a fine, smooth powder made from maize of corns. |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: |
Makki Ki Atta is used to make dishes like Methi Paratha, Makai Mooli, Dhokla and so on, as well as desserts like Tikkar. In Western culture, it is used for an assortment of baked and fried products like Corn Bread, Muffins, Pancakes, and Gluten Free alternative products to wheat. |
| Religious Significance? | Often used in the Punjabi festival Lohri |
| What Does It Taste Like: | Corn flour has an earthy, sweet taste similar to whole corn |
| Known Benefits: | Maize flour is a carbohydrate rich and energy rich flour loaded with fibre. Cornmeal prevents your blood sugar from shooting up and loaded with Zinc which is necessary for the formation of insulin. |
Ragi/Nachni Flour (Finger Millet Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Ragi Flour |
| English Name: | Finger Millet Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Ragi Flour is made by soaking and making sprouted ragi then roasting to make fingermillet flour |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: |
As an healthy alternative to wheat in flat bread and for ladoos, malpua and so on. |
| Religious Significance? | Used in fasting festival in South Asia |
| What Does It Taste Like: | Corn flour has an earthy, sweet taste similar to whole corn |
| Known Benefits: | The millet ragi is an ancient grain. This means that the kinds of seeds used to make ragi have been around for a very long time and in most cases has not been altered or processed. Loaded with calcium, Ragi is known to help control blood sugar in diabetics as well as helps in weight loss. It is also known to support healthier skin battle anemia. It is one of the very few natural sources of Vitamin D. |
Rajgira/Rajgaro Atta (Amaranth Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Rajgira/Rajgaro Atta |
| English Name: | Amaranth Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Amaranth flour is made by grinding the seeds of the amaranth plant into a fine powder. |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: |
As an healthy alternative to wheat in flat bread. |
| Religious Significance? | Used in fasting festival in South Asia |
| What Does It Taste Like: | Mild, sweet, and nutty seems to be the consensus amongst taste experts. |
| Known Benefits: | Amaranth is a nutritious, gluten-free grain that provides plenty of fiber, protein and micronutrients. It has also been associated with a number of health benefits, including reduced inflammation, lower cholesterol levels and increased weight loss. |
Chawal Ki Atta (Rice Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Chawal Ki Atta |
| English Name: | Rice Flour |
| How Is It Made: | It is milled flour made by grinding cooked and dehydrated kernels of long or short grain rice until it becomes the consistency of a powder or flour, often done using grain mills |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: |
Idiyappam, Coating for Bhajiyas, Amboli, Neer Dosa, Khichu, Chawal Ki Roti, Chakli, Ribbon Sev, Uttapam. Sweets like Modaks, Golpapdi |
| Religious Significance? | N/A |
| What Does It Taste Like: | White rice flour has a very neutral flavor that takes the flavour of whatever it is made with. |
| Known Benefits: | Rice flour is rich in Calcium, Fibres, Choline (Great for fatty liver). |
Bajri/Bajra Atta (Ground Millet Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Bajri/Bajra Atta |
| English Name: | Ground Millet Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Bajra flour is made from the small round grains of black millet, also called bajra. When the bajra is ripe and ready to be harvested, the plants are cut and tied in bundles and allowed to dry. The bundles are threshed to separate the grains. The grains are dried and then processed into flour. |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: |
Healthy alternative to wheat for flat breads and beyond. |
| Religious Significance? | N/A |
| What Does It Taste Like: | It is grayish in color and has a nutty flavor |
| Known Benefits: | Bajra flour is an excellent source of iron, protein, folic acid and fibre that keeps complex ailments like anemia, constipation, obesity in check and flushes out all toxins. |
Dhokla Atta (Dhokla Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Dhokla Atta |
| English Name: | Dhokla Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Dhokla is a mixture flour often made from of Chickpeas, Rice, Lentils and Pigeon Peas |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: |
Dhokla is a vegetarian culinary dish that is native to the Indian state of Gujarat and parts of adjacent states. Although a Gujarati delicacy, it is also commonly served in other parts of India. |
| Religious Significance? | N/A |
| What Does It Taste Like: | Dhokla is both sweet and savory with a mild aftertaste of gram flour |
| Known Benefits: | The ingredients of a dhokla are super rich in proteins. The besan base, that too in fermented form, works on increasing the bioavailability of nutrients like riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, thiamine, Vitamin K, and biotin |
Kuttu Atta (Buckwheat Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Kuttu Atta |
| English Name: | Buckwheat Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Buckwheat flour is made by milling triangular buckwheat seeds into powder |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: |
As a healthy alternative for flat breads In western culture, it is known to be used for Pancakes, and even Pasta, or Japanese Soba |
| Religious Significance? | Used in Fasting Festivals |
| What Does It Taste Like: | The flour has a rich flavour which can be a little nutty. A little earthy, a little nutty, a little bitter |
| Known Benefits: | Kuttu ka Atta helps in reducing inflammation and helps in improving coronary health by reducing the cholesterol (LDL) levels. Buckwheat has a compound called rutin, which is basically a type of phytonutrient and antioxidant, which helps balance blood pressure and reduce the cholesterol level. |
Bhakri Atta (Coarse Milled Wheat Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Bhakri Atta |
| English Name: | Coarse Milled Wheat Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Coarse whole wheat flour refers to the wheat flour which is milled to a coarse texture. As compared to normal whole wheat flour, this flour is coarse in texture. |
| Is It Gluten Free: | No |
| Common Things Made From: |
Used to make thick Rotis and flat breads |
| Religious Significance? | N/A |
| What Does It Taste Like: | It tastes like wheat flour, just more coarse. |
| Known Benefits: | whole wheat flour or Atta is a good source of complex carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamin B1, B3, B5, riboflavin and folate. It also has a good amount of calcium and iron. |
Urad/Urid Atta (Urad Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Urad/Urid Atta |
| English Name: | Urad/Urid Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Urad Flour is made by grinding urad dal or skinned black gram lentils. |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: |
Used as alternatives flour for Rotis and flat breads Also used to make Vada, Dosa, murukku and pappadums. |
| Religious Significance? | N/A |
| What Does It Taste Like: | A characteristic mild nutty flavor that is slightly bitter. |
| Known Benefits: | It is rich in protein, potassium calcium, iron, niacin, Thiamine, and riboflavin. Urad Flour is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, isoflavones, and vitamin B complex. There are many reasons why Urad should be consumed. It can aid in digestion, boost energy, improve skin health, and many others. |
Singhara/Singhoda Atta (Water Chestnut Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Singhara/Singhoda Atta |
| English Name: | Water Chestnut Flour |
| How Is It Made: | The flour is grounded from the dried ground water chestnuts. For preparing the flour, the nuts are peeled, boiled and finally crushed into flour. |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: |
Used as alternatives flour for Rotis and flat breads Also used in pancakes. |
| Religious Significance? | Popularly used during fasting seasons. |
| What Does It Taste Like: | It has a nutty, sweet flavour |
| Known Benefits: | Is water chestnut flour healthy? Powerhouse Of Antioxidants And Minerals Water chestnut flour is loaded with vitamin B6, potassium (350 to 360 mg per half cup), copper, riboflavin, iodine and manganese. Iodine and manganese may check your thyroid problems, too. |
Jawar/Jowar Atta (Sorghum Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Jawar Atta |
| English Name: | Sorghum Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Sorghum flour is finely ground from the whole grain kernel of sorghum |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: |
Used as alternatives flour for Rotis and flat breads Also used in pancakes. |
| Religious Significance? | N/A |
| What Does It Taste Like: | Sorghum has a mild, earthy flavor. Its texture and flavor is similar to wheat berries and the flour has been called out as being the most wheat-like gluten free flour. |
| Known Benefits: |
Sorghum is an ancient grain and is a nutrient-packed grain that you can use in many ways. It's rich in vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. It's also an excellent source of fiber, antioxidants, and protein. |
Red Jawar/Jowar Atta (Red Sorghum Flour) - Click To Shop
| Name: | Red Jawar/Jowar Atta |
| English Name: | Red Sorghum Flour |
| How Is It Made: | Red Sorghum flour is finely ground from the whole grain kernel of sorghum |
| Is It Gluten Free: | Yes |
| Common Things Made From: |
Used as alternatives flour for Rotis and flat breads Also used in pancakes. |
| Religious Significance? | N/A |
| What Does It Taste Like: | Sorghum has a mild, earthy flavor. Its texture and flavor is similar to wheat berries and the flour has been called out as being the most wheat-like gluten free flour. |
| Known Benefits: |
Sorghum is an ancient grain and is a nutrient-packed grain that you can use in many ways. It's rich in vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. It's also an excellent source of fiber, antioxidants, and protein. |
