Flours, Meals & Grains

What you need to know about meals, grains and bulk flour Australia

What’s the difference between organic and regular flour?

Certified organic flour is milled from pesticide-free grain which has been grown in soil fertilised only by natural substances. It’s also free of chemicals and anything genetically modified (GM).

Organic grains take in more nutrients from the soil which in turn makes it more nutritious for consumers, too, not to mention having great flavour.

Which is the best flour to make bread?

Look for baker’s flour or bread flour online which has a fine texture and higher protein level than plain or self-raising flour. Although it can also be used for baking cakes and muffins, it’s best known for its chewy, stretchy bread-making qualities.

 

Which flours and meals are gluten-free?

If you have coeliac disease, non-coeliac gluten sensitivity or are avoiding gluten for other reasons, you’ll be pleased to know there are many alternatives to wheat flours (which contain gluten). As well as gluten-free white flour some of our favourites include almond meal which is great for baking muffins and cakes. Brown rice flour is a versatile gluten-free alternative for baking bread and biscuits.

The highly-nutritious buckwheat flour is great for pancakes A less common variety is Japanese soba noodles and besan flour, which is used throughout India and is perfect for pancakes, dumplings, soups and stews.

Which other flours and grains should I know about?

Khorasan flour is growing in popularity due to its nutritional levels (it’s high in zinc, magnesium, B vitamins and essential fatty acids, to name but a few) and superior flavour. Known as the gentle grain, many wheat-intolerant people are able to tolerate khorasan flour.

Sorghum flour, which is made from the sorghum wholegrain kernel, and is believed to have originated in Africa thousands of years ago. It has a mild sweet flavour and is very popular in gluten-free baking mixes.

How do you store bulk flour in Australia?

If you’re buying flour, meals and grains from an online grain store, you need to store them correctly. We recommend putting them in sealed containers and, to keep out those pesky weevils and other bugs, the safest place is in the refrigerator.