Maida Flour

Maida flour – Maida is a highly refined, finely-milled white wheat flour from the Indian subcontinent. It is made by stripping the wheat grain of its nutrient-rich germ and fibrous bran, leaving only the starchy endosperm. Soft and powdery, it is commonly bleached to achieve a pure white appearance.

Key Characteristics:-
Appearance & Texture: Pure white, exceptionally smooth, and very fine to the touch.
Protein Content: Typically around 10–12%. It behaves more like a low-protein cake or pastry flour, making it ideal for tender baked goods.
Nutritional Profile: Stripping the bran and germ removes dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, in many countries, commercial maida is fortified with added iron, zinc, and B-vitamins.

Common Culinary Uses:-
Maida is an incredibly versatile ingredient used to create soft textures in both sweet and savory dishes:
Indian Flatbreads: Used for preparing flaky, layered breads like naan, parotta, and poori.
Pastries & Bakery Items: The foundation for cakes, cookies, biscuits, and traditional sweets like gulab jamun.
Fried Snacks: Heavily used for the outer crusts of savory snacks like samosas and kachoris