Wheat flour facts for kids
Wheat flour is a common ingredient used in many foods you eat every day, like bread, cakes, and pasta! It's a fine powder made from grinding the seeds, called kernels, of the wheat plant. There are two main kinds of wheat flour: whole wheat flour and white flour. Each type is used for different yummy things.
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What is Wheat?
Wheat is a type of grass that grows in fields all over the world. It's one of the oldest and most important food crops humans have grown. The small, hard seeds from the wheat plant are called kernels. These kernels are what we use to make flour. Wheat has been a key food source for thousands of years, helping people make bread and other important foods.
How Wheat Flour is Made
Making wheat flour starts with farmers growing wheat in large fields. Once the wheat is ready, it's harvested, and the kernels are collected. These kernels are then cleaned very carefully to remove any dirt or bits of plant. After cleaning, the kernels are sent to a special place called a mill. At the mill, big machines grind the wheat kernels into a fine powder. This powder is what we know as flour!
Types of Wheat Flour
There are two main types of wheat flour, and they are different because of which parts of the wheat kernel are used.
Whole Wheat Flour
Whole wheat flour is made from the entire wheat kernel. A wheat kernel has three main parts:
- The bran: This is the outer layer, full of fiber.
- The germ: This is the part that could sprout into a new plant, and it has lots of vitamins and healthy fats.
- The endosperm: This is the largest part and contains mostly starch and protein.
Because whole wheat flour includes all three parts, it keeps all the natural goodness of the wheat kernel. This makes it more nutritious than white flour. It often has a slightly darker color and a nutty taste.
White Flour
White flour is made only from the endosperm of the wheat kernel. During the milling process, the bran and germ are removed. This makes white flour very fine and gives it a light color. Many people prefer white flour for its smooth texture and mild taste. However, because the bran and germ are removed, white flour naturally has fewer nutrients than whole wheat flour.
Why is White Flour Enriched?
Since white flour loses some nutrients when the bran and germ are removed, it is often "enriched." This means that vitamins and minerals, like iron and B vitamins, are added back into the flour. This helps to make sure people get important nutrients in their diet, even if they mostly eat foods made with white flour.
What Can You Make with Wheat Flour?
Wheat flour is a super versatile ingredient used in countless recipes around the world. You can use it to bake delicious things like:
- Bread: From simple loaves to fancy rolls, flour is the main ingredient.
- Cakes and Cookies: It gives these treats their structure and texture.
- Pastries: Think pies, tarts, and croissants.
It's also used to make:
- Pasta: Like spaghetti, macaroni, and lasagna noodles.
- Noodles: Many types of noodles, especially in Asian cuisine, are made from wheat flour.
- Thickeners: Flour can be used to thicken sauces, gravies, and soups.
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See also
In Spanish: Harina de trigo para niños
