Understanding Wheat Flour in Biscuit Ingredients
When looking at the ingredient list of biscuits, wheat flour often tops the list. This is because wheat flour is a key ingredient in biscuits and many other baked goods. Let's explore the different types of wheat flour used in biscuits and how they affect the final product.
Types of Wheat Flour Used in Biscuits
Wheat flour is made by grinding wheat grains into a fine powder. The type of wheat flour used can vary, but generally falls into two main categories:
1. All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour is the most common type of wheat flour used in biscuits. It is a blend of hard and soft wheat, providing a moderate protein content usually around 10-12%. This balance allows for a good structure while keeping the biscuits tender. All-purpose flour is versatile and can be used in a variety of baking recipes, including biscuits.
2. Bread Flour
Bread flour has a higher protein content of 12-14%, which contributes to a chewier texture. It is less commonly used in biscuits but can be used for a denser, bread-like biscuit. The higher protein content helps the flour to develop gluten, which gives the biscuit a chewier texture.
3. Cake Flour
Cake flour has a lower protein content of about 7-9%. It is sometimes used for softer and lighter biscuits. The lower protein content means that the gluten development is less, resulting in a more delicate texture. This makes it ideal for biscuits that are meant to be light and tender.
4. Whole Wheat Flour
Whole wheat flour is made from the entire wheat grain, including the bran and germ. This results in more fiber and nutrients. However, it can make the biscuits denser compared to those made with all-purpose flour. Whole wheat flour is a healthier alternative and is often used in recipes that require a more hearty texture.
Ingredients in Biscuits and Their Health Impact
Biscuits, especially the so-called "healthy" ones, often contain undesirable ingredients such as hydrogenated vegetable oil, refined sugar, refined flour, and additives. These ingredients are not good for our health. However, Goodday from Britannia is a notable exception as it lists more natural ingredients in its biscuit recipe.
Goodday from Britannia
Goodday from Britannia has the following ingredients: Wheat Flour, sugar, edible vegetable oil, nuts, cashews, and almonds, butter, milk solids, raising agents, salt, emulsifiers, synthetic food colour, and artificial flavours.
According to Indian law, manufacturers and marketers are required to list the ingredients in descending order by quantity. Therefore, if wheat flour is listed first, it means that this is the major ingredient in the biscuit. This is followed by sugar and edible vegetable oil. Refined flour and sugar, which form the bulk of the biscuit, are not good for our health. However, this biscuit does not contain hydrogenated vegetable fat, which is unhealthy, but just vegetable oil, meaning no transfats.
Naturally occurring transfats found in dairy products and some meats are not harmful, though more studies are underway to confirm this. However, artificially produced transfats, produced when hydrogen gas reacts with oil, are extremely detrimental to health and are a significant factor in causing heart disease. This relationship has been proven beyond doubt.
Understanding the ingredients in biscuits is crucial for making informed decisions about our dietary choices. By opting for biscuits with healthier ingredients, such as those listed in Goodday from Britannia, we can enjoy a tasty treat while still maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet.