What is the Difference Between Maida and Wheat Flour

The main difference between maida and wheat flour is that maida is basically made with the endosperm of wheat grain, whereas wheat flour includes the husk, bran, germ, apart from the endosperm of wheat. When it comes to culinary usage, wheat flour is usually used to make rotis, while maida is frequently used to make paratha and naan.

When considering their health benefits, wheat flour is considered better for our health than maida. Maida is another name for all-purpose flour. Maida, being made up with the endosperm, which is the core of the wheat grain, mainly includes carbohydrates. However, wheat flour also contains proteins, vitamins, minerals, and also fibres.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Maida 
      – Definition, Features, Uses
2. What is Wheat Flour
     – Definition, Features, Uses
3. Similarities Between Maida and Wheat Flour
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Maida and Wheat Flour
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Flour, Maida, Wheat Flour

What is Maida

Maida is another name for all-purpose flour. Generally, in order to obtain maida, manufacturers further refine the whole wheat grain and remove the skin and the husk after sieving it several times.

In comparison to wheat flour, maida is full of calories. Further, manufacturers bleach maida using chemicals to make it super white in colour and extra smooth in texture. Maida, therefore, is not the best and the healthiest option when it comes to its nutritional content. Furthermore, the refining process of maida flour destroys the wheat grains’ vitamin content.

 In addition, maida has a higher glycemic index than wheat flour, which can cause a rise up in blood sugar levels, leading to an imbalance of insulin and sugar levels. Therefore, maida can be dangerous for diabetics patients. Maida is used in preparing a variety of food items such as cookies, muffins, cakes, noodles, pasta, and naans in every corner of the world.

What is Wheat Flour

Wheat flour is obtained by grinding wheat grains along with husk and the skin. Therefore compared with maida, Wheat flour is a better and healthier option as it is a rich source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. Unlike maida, wheat flour does not undergo chemically bleaching; therefore, it is a safer option to add to your diet.

In addition, wheat flour contains a huge amount of amino acids and antioxidants. They help the human body to relax naturally and is a natural treatment for common issues such as insomnia, headache, anxiety and depression. When it comes to food and cuisine, we use wheat flour to prepare lots of Indian food items such as rotis, puris, and also desserts all around the world.

Similarities Between Maida and Wheat Flour

1. Maida and wheat flour are obtained from the wheat grain.
2. They are two different varieties of flour.
3. We use maida and wheat flour to prepare a variety of sweet and savoury food items.
4. Both of them contain different nutrient components.

Difference Between Maida and Wheat Flour

Definition

Maida is basically made with the endosperm of wheat grain, whereas wheat flour includes the husk, bran, germ, apart from the endosperm of wheat.

Colour and Texture

Maida, being chemically bleached, has a pure white colour and a relatively smoother texture compared to wheat flour.

Nutrient content

While maida is full of calories, wheat flour is rich in fibres, minerals and vitamins.

Culinary Uses

We can use maida to make a variety of food items such as cookies, muffins, cakes, noodles, pasta, and naans and wheat flour to make lots of Indian food items such as rotis, puris and desserts.

Conclusion

In brief, the main difference between maida and wheat flour is that in order to obtain maida, the manufacturers further refine the whole wheat grain and remove the skin and husk, whereas manufacturers grind the wheat grain along with the skin and the husk in order to obtain wheat flour. This leads to the end product of wheat flour possessing a relatively higher nutritional value compared to maida, a product rich in calories.

Reference:

1. Arnarson, Atli. “Wheat 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Effects.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 4 Apr. 2019.
2. “Why Is Refined Flour Bad for Human Body.” The Times of India, 3 May 2019.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Flour-flour-scoop-to-bake-2713990” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Bread-wheat-flour-food-6486963” (CC0) via Pixabay