What Flour

Wheat flour is a powder made from grinding wheat grains. It is a staple ingredient in baking and cooking, forming the base for many common foods. The type of wheat and how it's milled affects the flour's properties, such as its protein content and suitability for different recipes.

Flour provides structure and texture to baked goods. It acts as a binder, holding ingredients together, and is essential for creating doughs and batters. It is found in a wide variety of products, including breads, cakes, cookies, pasta, and as a thickener in sauces and gravies.

Wheat flour is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. It is a source of carbohydrates and some B vitamins and iron, especially when enriched. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated wheat flour and its components. While generally considered safe in typical dietary amounts, excessive intake of refined carbohydrates can be linked to health concerns according to dietary guidelines.