Flour

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 (aka corn), rye, barley and rice, amongst many other grasses and non-grain plants (including many Australian species of acacia).

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Flour is always based on the presence of starches, which are complex carbohydrates.

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Usually, the word "flour" used alone refers to wheat flour, which is one of the most important foods in European and American culture. Wheat flour is the main ingredient in most types of breads and pastries. Wheat is so widely used because of an important property: when wheat flour is mixed with water, a complex protein called gluten develops. The gluten development is what gives wheat dough an elastic structure that allows it to be worked in a variety of ways, and which allows the retention of gas bubbles in an intact structure, resulting in a sponge-like texture to the final product. This is highly desired for breads, cakes and other baked products.

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A coarser preparation, somewhat granular rather than a fine dust, is often called meal.

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Food: Food is any substance consumed by living organisms, including liquid drinks. Food is the main source of energy and of nutrition for animals, and is usually of animal or plant origin....

Cereal: :This article is about grains. See also breakfast cereal...

Starch: Starch is a complex carbohydrate which is insoluble in water. Starch (in particular cornstarch) is used in cooking for thickening sauces. In industry, it is used in the manufacture of adhesives, paper, and textiles....

Flour related Images and Photos (experimental)

Delivering Flour 1885

The Preparation of Mandioca Flour in the Antilles

Two Women Use a Handmill to Grind Flour in a Scottish Cabin

High Angle View of Chestnut with Flour