What does flour do?
An ingredient used in many foods, flour is a fine powder made from cereals or other starchy food sources. It is most commonly made from wheat, but also maize (also known as corn), rye, barley, and rice, amongst many other grasses and non-grain plants (including many Australian species of acacia). Flour is the key ingredient of bread, which is the staple food in many countries, and therefore the availability of adequate supplies of flour has often been a major economic and political issue. Flour can also be made from legumes and nuts, such as soy, peanuts, almonds, and other tree nuts. Flour is always based on the presence of starches, which are complex carbohydrates. Usually, the word “flour” used alone refers to wheat flour, which is one of the most important foods in European and American culture. The corresponding Spanish word “harina” normally refers to Maize flour – wheat flour is “harina de trigo”. Wheat flour is the main ingredient in most types of breads and pastries. Wheat is
