Indian cuisine takes pride in its diverse and varied choices of dishes and recipes. One important ingredient used for preparing a variety of Indian dishes is the flour. From chapatis and puris to parathas and naans, flour is widely used to make tasty and healthy dishes. Among flours, atta and maida are the two main flours frequently used in Indian cooking.
In this blog, let us explore the difference between atta and maida flour. Keep reading to know the differences in their making, their nutritional value, their health benefits and culinary uses.
Key Difference Between Atta and Maida
Atta and maida are both made from whole wheat grain. The main difference is in the milling process and the distinct composition. Here, we will understand how maida and atta flour are made.
Making of Atta or Whole Wheat Flour
Also known as whole wheat flour, atta is made by grounding whole wheat grain, including the bran and germ, into a fine powder. Any bigger particles from the resulting flour are removed by a sifting process to make wheat flour which has a fine and uniform texture.
Since the entire wheat grain is used, along with the bran and grain, the nutrients are preserved in the wheat flour too. Atta contains all the vitamins, minerals, fats and fibre of whole wheat grain.
Making of Maida or All-Purpose Flour
Maida, also known as refined wheat flour or all-purpose flour, is made by grounding only the endosperm of the wheat grain. The resulting flour is lighter and has a finer texture. However, the flour has less nutrients compared to atta as the bran and germ are eliminated before the milling process.
Refined wheat flour is also lighter in colour compared to whole wheat flour. Its finer texture and softness makes it a good choice for various culinary uses such as baking, cooking, marination and so on. Because of the lack of bran and germ, the vitamins, minerals and fibre present in wheat flour are lacking in maida.
Nutritional Value of Atta and Maida
Even though both atta and maida are made from the same wheat grains, they both have varying nutrient content. Below, we will find the nutritional value of maida and atta.
The nutritional value of 100 grams of atta is as follows,
- Calories - 340 kcal
- Carbohydrates - 72.6 g
- Protein - 11.6 g
- Fat - 1.7 g
- Vitamin B1 - 0.41 mg
- Vitamin B3 - 2.9 mg
- Iron - 3.9 mg
- Calcium - 34 mg
- Fibre - 12.2 g
Below is the nutritional value of 100 grams of maida.
- Calories - 364 kcal
- Carbohydrates - 76.1 g
- Protein - 8.6 g
- Fat - 0.8 g
- Vitamin B1 - 0.04 mg
- Vitamin B3 - 0.8 mg
- Iron - 2.8 mg
- Calcium - 15 mg
- Fibre - 2.2 g
Atta and Maida - Comparison of Health Benefits
When we compare the health benefits of both atta and maida, atta comes out as the healthier choice. The table below shows the comparison of health benefits of atta and maida.
|
Atta |
Maida |
|
Atta has more nutritional value than maida |
Maida has a less overall nutritional value |
|
It has a high fibre content and promotes healthy digestion |
It has very less fibre content |
|
Atta flour can help to control your blood sugar levels |
Due to high starch content, maida flour increases blood sugar levels |
|
Gives a feeling of fullness and avoids food cravings |
When consumed on regular basis, maida can cause digestive issues |
|
It helps in weight control |
It causes weight gain |
Culinary Uses of Atta and Maida
Both atta and maida serve different culinary purposes due to their unique composition. Here, let us explore the various culinary uses of atta and maida.
Whole wheat flour is the best choice for making dishes that form the main part of your meals. Chapatis, parathas, rotis and even whole wheat bread can be prepared with atta because of its high nutritional and fibre content. In addition to the high nutritional content, it also promotes digestion.
On the other hand, maida is a lighter flour compared to atta flour and it imparts a soft texture to dishes. Therefore, it can be used for making baked foods like cakes and biscuits which are known for their softness and lightness. However, since maida has low fibre content, it cannot be considered as part of a balanced diet and should only be consumed occasionally.
As you can see, both atta and maida have a range of differences in their making, nutritional content, health benefits and culinary uses. When it comes to health benefits, atta is clearly the healthier option compared to maida. In culinary usage, maida is a versatile flour that offers a soft and light texture to food, especially during preparation of biscuits and cakes.
Refer to this blog to understand the difference between atta and maida, and make the right choice depending on your health and recipe needs.
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