Flour Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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flour
[flaสษr ]
Definitions
baking
Flour is a powder made by grinding raw grains, roots, beans, nuts, or seeds. It is commonly used in baking to make bread, cakes, and pastries.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| flour |
Use in baking and cooking recipes that require a finely ground ingredient. Often used for making bread, cakes, and pastries.
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| powder |
Any fine, dry substance produced by grinding or by breaking down a solid into fine particles. Used in cooking, cosmetics, and other applications.
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| starch |
A carbohydrate found in foods like potatoes, rice, and corn. Used in cooking to thicken sauces and soups. Can also refer to a substance used to stiffen clothes.
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| meal |
Ground grains or seeds, often coarser than flour, used in recipes or as feed for animals. Can also refer to food in general.
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Examples of usage
- Add flour to the mixture and stir well.
- She sifted the flour before adding it to the cake batter.
cooking
Flour can also refer to a white or brown powder that is used to thicken sauces and soups.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| flour |
Use when referring to a common baking ingredient made by grinding wheat or other grains. It is typically used in making bread, cakes, and other baked goods.
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| thickener |
Use when referring to any substance added to a liquid to increase its viscosity without significantly altering its other properties. Used in cooking, cosmetics, and industrial applications.
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| starch |
Use when referring to a carbohydrate found in many foods, or in the context of laundry where it is used to stiffen fabrics.
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| roux |
Use in the context of cooking, particularly in making sauces and soups. It is a mixture of flour and fat cooked together and used as a thickening agent.
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Examples of usage
- Mix the flour with water to create a roux for the sauce.
- The recipe calls for a tablespoon of flour to thicken the stew.
archaic
To flour something means to sprinkle or coat it with flour.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| flour |
Use when referring to the act of covering something with a thin layer of flour, typically in cooking or baking.
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| dust |
Usually refers to lightly covering a surface with a fine, powdery substance, can be used in food and non-food contexts.
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| sprinkle |
Refers to scattering small particles or drops of a substance lightly over a surface.
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| coat |
General term for covering something completely, not limited to flour or food, but also applies to paint, oil, etc.
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Examples of usage
- Flour the pan before adding the dough.
- She floured the fish before frying it.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Culinary Traditions
- Different cultures use various types of flour, such as rice flour in Asian dishes and corn flour in Latin American cuisine.
- In Italy, '00 flour' is highly refined and essential for making traditional pizza and pasta.
- Sourdough bread relies on flour's natural ability to ferment when mixed with water and yeast.
Health and Nutrition
- Whole wheat flour contains more fiber and nutrients compared to all-purpose flour, offering health benefits.
- Gluten-free flour alternatives, like almond or coconut flour, cater to people with certain dietary restrictions.
- Flour can be enriched with vitamins and minerals, helping to combat nutrient deficiencies in many diets.
Science
- The protein content in flour affects baking: higher protein flours yield chewier textures, while lower protein flours produce lighter textures.
- When water is added to flour, it develops glutenโa stretchy network that gives bread its structure.
- Different milling processes can impact flour's properties, affecting how it interacts with liquids during baking.
History
- Flour production dates back to at least 6000 BC, with evidence of grain grinding found in ancient civilizations.
- The invention of the windmill in the Middle Ages revolutionized flour production, allowing for larger quantities to be ground efficiently.
- In ancient Egypt, flour was used not only for bread but also as a form of currency, showing its importance in daily life.
Origin of 'flour'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'flour' comes from the Old French word 'fleur', meaning 'flower' โ a reference to the finest part of the grain.
- Originally, 'flour' was used to describe any ground grain, but it later became specific to wheat.
- Related to the word 'blossom', it highlights the idea of the best part of the grain being used in baking.
The word 'flour' originated from the Old French word 'flour', which meant 'blossom' or 'the finest part of something'. The use of flour in baking dates back to ancient times, with evidence of flour production found in archaeological sites. Over the centuries, different types of flour have been developed, each with unique properties and uses in cooking and baking.