Wheat Atta and processed flour, also known as refined flour or Maida, are two very different types of flours that come from the same grain – Wheat. There are a number of stark and subtle differences in both these products that are more often not known to many. Therefore, let us delve deeper and understand the difference between Atta and Processed Flour.
While there are some differences such as 1kg Atta price and 1kg Maida price that might be different, that does not necessarily reflect any distinctions between them. The Atta price 1kg is not the same everywhere. However, there are certain qualities between Atta and Processed Floor that are consistently different in every region and every part of the country. Here are some of them;
- Wheat Atta, or Whole Wheat Flour is derived by grinding the entire wheat grain without separating the germ and the bran from it. Processed flour or Maida on the other hand is obtained by grinding only the endosperm part of the wheat grain after separating it from the brand and the germ through sieving.
- Since Whole Wheat Flour is obtained by grinding the entire wheat kernel, the resulting atta is slightly granular texture and slightly darker colour as compared to processed flour. Maida has a finer texture, and it is whiter in colour instead of the brownish tint that is visible in Whole Wheat Flour.
- One of the key differences between Whole Wheat Atta and Maida is the nutritional content of both types of flour. Since Whole Wheat Flour contains the fibrous bran part of the wheat grain, it is richer in dietary fibre. It is also richer in protein and contains complex carbohydrates, and other micronutrients. Processed flour on the other hand has very little nutritional content, and has a lot of simple carbohydrates.
- The Glycemic Index levels of Whole Wheat Flour are lower than that of Processed Flour or Maida due to the presence of simple carbohydrates in the latter. Consuming foods prepared with Maida can lead to a spike in the blood sugar levels which can be harmful to diabetics.
- Foods prepared with Whole Wheat Flour and Maida both taste different and have a very different texture that an experienced person can easily tell apart.
- Due to its fine granular texture and whiter colour, Maida is more often used for baking purposes as compared to Whole Wheat Flour. Maida is also easier to work with for baking recipes as compared to Whole Wheat Flour.
- Whole Wheat Flour is not bleached during preparation whereas Processed Flour does undergo bleaching that is carried out through chemicals. This makes Whole Wheat Atta slightly better for your health as compared to Processed Flour.