Flour treatments refer to processes or additives used to modify and improve the quality, functionality, and performance of flour in baking and food production. These modifications help standardize flour for consistent baking results, improve shelf life, and optimize dough properties for various applications, from bread and pastries to pasta and snacks. While some treatments are common in commercial flour production, untreated or “unbleached” flours are preferred in artisanal and organic baking for a more natural approach.
Amylase (Baking Enzyme)
Amylase is a class of enzymes that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into sugars such as maltose and glucose. In the baking industry, amylases are widely used to improve dough handling, enhance fermentation, increase loaf volume, improve crumb softness, and extend shelf life. The enzyme is typically derived from microbial (fungal or bacterial) sources like Aspergillus oryzae or Bacillus subtilis. Commercial baking amylase products may include α-amylase, β-amylase, and glucoamylase, depending on application needs.
Arabic Gum
Arabic Gum, also known as Gum Acacia, is a natural gum harvested from the sap of Acacia trees, primarily Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal. It is a complex mixture of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, valued for its excellent emulsifying, stabilizing, and thickening properties. Arabic Gum is water-soluble, forms clear solutions, and is widely used in the food industry as a stabilizer and emulsifier. Additionally, it finds applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and printing industries due to its biodegradability, non-toxicity, and versatility.
Bakery Salt
Bakery salt is a finely ground, food-grade salt specifically processed for use in baking and food preparation. It is characterized by its purity, consistent grain size, and minimal additives to ensure it blends evenly in doughs and batters. Bakery salt enhances flavor, improves dough texture, controls yeast fermentation, and extends the shelf life of baked goods. Due to its fine granules, it dissolves quickly and evenly, making it ideal for commercial and home baking applications.
Corn Starch Food Grade
Corn Starch Food Grade is a fine, white, powdery carbohydrate extracted from the endosperm of corn kernels (Zea mays). It is a natural, tasteless, and odorless polysaccharide composed primarily of amylose and amylopectin. Corn starch is widely used as a thickening, stabilizing, and binding agent in food products due to its excellent gelatinization properties. It serves as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour in many culinary and industrial applications. Corn starch is valued for its versatility, digestibility, and neutral flavor profile, making it a staple ingredient in both home cooking and commercial food production.
High Gluten Wheat Flour
High Gluten Wheat Flour is a finely milled powder derived from hard wheat varieties known for their high protein content, typically ranging from 12% to 14.5%. This flour has a superior gluten-forming capacity which imparts strong dough elasticity and excellent gas retention properties. It appears as an off-white to pale yellow powder with a neutral to slightly nutty aroma. High Gluten Wheat Flour is prized in baking industries and food manufacturing for producing products with enhanced chewiness, volume, and texture. It is essential for applications requiring strong dough structure and resilience.
Icing Sugar
Icing Sugar, also known as powdered sugar or confectioners’ sugar, is a finely ground sugar with a powdery consistency. It is typically made by milling granulated sugar into a fine powder and blending it with a small amount of anti-caking agent (usually cornstarch or tricalcium phosphate) to prevent clumping. Icing Sugar is white, odorless, and has a sweet taste. It is widely used in baking, confectionery, and culinary applications to provide sweetness, texture, and decorative finishes.
Lactose Monohydrate 200 Mesh
Lactose Monohydrate 200 Mesh is a fine, white, crystalline powder derived from milk sugar with a particle size of 200 mesh, indicating very fine granules. It is widely used in pharmaceutical, food, and confectionery industries as a filler, binder, and stabilizer. Lactose Monohydrate is valued for its excellent compressibility, low hygroscopicity, and compatibility with many active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The monohydrate form contains one molecule of water, enhancing its stability and flow properties.
Xylanase Baking Enzymes
Xylanase Baking Enzymes are specialized enzymes used in the baking industry to improve dough handling, bread volume, crumb structure, and overall product quality. These enzymes catalyze the breakdown of xylans (non-starch polysaccharides in cereal cell walls), reducing dough viscosity and enhancing gas retention during fermentation. This results in improved texture, softness, and shelf life of baked goods.