Make your cake in India

At first glance, the title of this article might make you smile. However, nothing is simple in the land of maharajas. So here are some ways to find yourself in the middle of the basics, flour and sugar in the plural.

Flour

The topic is complicated. White wheat flour is called “maida”, but it is not available.

Refined wheat flour: maida

It is also highly processed and it is recommended to mix it with “ätta” wheat flour.

unrefined wheat flour atta
unrefined wheat flour atta

For the more adventurous, there are plenty of exotic flours. Thus we can start with lentils, rice, chickpeas, millet… There is something for all tastes, all creeds or allergies.

Flour varieties in India
Flour varieties

To find out more about the use of the flour, the site from magicindia can be beneficial.

Sugar

Again, nothing simple for the Franco-French spirit. As well as superfine white sugar, which is often made from beets, there is a generous amount of brown sugar.

We automatically exclude the French-Belgian vergeoise obtained by caramelizing white sugar. Among the brown sugar present in India, we strictly distinguish natural origin, date, coconut, palm and especially sugarcane. Here, we mainly consume cane sugar. But then again, what to choose to sweeten coffee or prepare cakes?

Several varieties of Indian brown sugar
Several types of brown sugar at Terra store in Chennai

Moscow

It is not refined, but only purified, filtered and caramelized, giving it a slightly fragrant taste.

Brown sugar

Very present in the stalls, probably the most traditional in India. This dark, concentrated, unrefined product still contains molasses and crystals, but also fiber. It comes in solid, grated or chopped form.

Not very homogeneous, not easy to cook but great in coffee if you don’t mind the texture.

A piece of jaggery, unrefined brown sugar
block of brown sugar

Demerara sugar

It originates from Guyana. While completely exogenous, it’s easy to find, so know that it’s not local. Its rough and moist texture may surprise you. We do have the impression that he is moving. It’s a little annoying in the morning at breakfast but it’s delicious.

To learn more about the different types of sugar, check out this site at nutrition.

What a cake!

Fabienne is also the author of a visiting blog which can be found by following the link: visitfabienne

Serena Hoyles

"Twitter junkie. Hipster-friendly bacon expert. Beer ninja. Reader. Communicator. Explorer. Passionate alcohol geek."

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