Corn Flour

Corn flour, also known as maize flour, is made from finely ground corn kernels. It is a versatile ingredient used in baking, cooking, and thickening. Here are the typical ingredients and details for corn flour:

Ingredients

1. Corn (Maize) Kernels: The only ingredient, which are dried and finely ground to produce corn flour.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per 100g)

• Calories: 360-370 kcal
• Protein: 6-8 grams
• Fat: 2-4 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 0 grams
• Carbohydrates: 80-85 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 7-10 grams
  • Sugars: 0-1 grams
• Sodium: 1-5 mg
• Vitamins and Minerals:
  • Iron: 2-3 mg (important for blood health)
  • Calcium: 6-10 mg (supports bone health)
  • Magnesium: 30-40 mg (essential for muscle and nerve function)
  • Potassium: 100-150 mg (important for heart health)
  • Phosphorus: 100-120 mg (needed for energy production and bone health)

Health Benefits

• Gluten-Free: Suitable for individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
• Source of Carbohydrates: Provides energy through its high carbohydrate content.
• Low in Fat: Contains minimal fat, making it a low-fat ingredient.
• Rich in Fiber: Promotes digestive health and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Culinary Uses

• Baking: Used in baking recipes for bread, cakes, muffins, and cookies, often in combination with other flours.
• Thickening Agent: Used as a thickening agent for sauces, gravies, soups, and stews.
• Breading and Coating: Used for breading and coating foods before frying to add a crispy texture.
• Tortillas and Flatbreads: A key ingredient in making corn tortillas and other traditional flatbreads.
• Snacks: Used to make various snacks such as corn chips and cornmeal mush.

Storage Instructions

• Cool, Dry Place: Store corn flour in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from heat, moisture, and sunlight to maintain its freshness and quality.
• Shelf Life: Properly stored, corn flour can last for several months to a year without losing its quality.

Cooking Tips

• Mixing with Other Flours: Corn flour can be mixed with other flours like wheat flour or rice flour for better texture and flavor in baking.
• Hydration: Corn flour absorbs more liquid than some other flours, so adjust the liquid content in recipes accordingly.
• Pre-cooking: When using as a thickener, it's often best to mix corn flour with a small amount of cold liquid before adding it to hot liquids to prevent clumping.

Corn flour is a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be used in various culinary applications. Would you like any more information or specific recipes using corn flour?