While most recipes will call for wheat flour, many other types of flour exist that can substitute for wheat flour and may even be better than wheat flour, such as bajra flour.
However, if this is your first time hearing about bajra flour, you may be wondering what bajra flour is. I looked up the facts, and here is what I learned!
What Is Bajra Flour?
Bajra flour is a type of flour made from the small round grains from black millet, which may also be called pearl millet. Normally, bajra flour features a slightly nutty and bitter aftertaste, but bajra flour is somewhat neutral in flavor. Additionally, bajra flour is popularly used to replace wheat-based flour since bajra is gluten-free.
Do you want to learn what bajra flour is called in English, if bajra flour is better than wheat flour, and what you can substitute for bajra flour? Keep reading!
What Is Bajra Flour In English?
Typically, bajra flour is called pearl millet flour in English, but some people may call bajra flour black millet flour in English as well.
What Is In Bajra Flour?
Generally, bajra flour is created from black millet’s small round grains, which may also be called bajra, hence the name bajra flour.
How Is Bajra Flour Made?
Normally, bajra flour is created by first harvesting bajra when the bajra has ripened. Once the bajra has been harvested, the bajra plants get cut and tied into bundles then are left to dry.
Next, the bajra bundles get threshed to separate the bajra grains then the grains get dried then processed to create flour.
What Does Bajra Flour Taste Like?
Typically, you can expect bajra flour to taste a little nutty with a slightly bitter aftertaste, but bajra flour has a slightly neutral overall flavor.
How Do You Use Bajra Flour?
Normally, bajra flour may be used to create rotis instead of whole wheat flour since some people prefer the flavor and nutrients that they can get from bajra flour.
Moreover, bajra flour is an excellent type of flour to make recipes similar to roti or pancakes since bajra flour does not create much volume.
Additionally, bajra flour may be used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour if you are sensitive or allergic to gluten.
However, it is important to note that barja flour may not be the perfect alternative to gluten-containing flour since barja flour will not provide much texture or volume.
Is Jowar Flour The Same As Bajra Flour?
Jowar flour is not the same as bajra flour because jowar flour is made from white millet’s small round grains whereas bajra flour is made from pearl millet or black millet grain.
While jowar flour and bajra flour is very similar in terms of texture, jowar flour usually has a light color while bajra flour is ashy gray.
Additionally, jowar flour tends to taste mild and sweet while bajra flour is usually slightly nutty and bitter.
However, jowar flour and bajra flour is used in many similar recipes, and they may be used interchangeably occasionally.
Which Flour Is Better, Jowar Flour Or Bajra Flour?
Technically, neither jowar flour nor bajra flour is better than the other since they are both types of flour made from millet.
Therefore, choosing between bajra flour and jowar flour will depend on the recipe’s needs.
For instance, if you want slightly sweeter and paler recipes, you can opt for jowar flour. If you want a stronger flavor and don’t mind a slightly deeper color, bajra flour would be better.
Can Barja Flour Cause Gas?
Bajra flour does not cause gas because barja flour counts as an alkaline food, which is an ideal type of food to fight acidity that could cause gas.
Can Diabetics Eat Bajra Flour?
Since bajra flour does not contain a lot of sugar, diabetics can eat bajra flour given that diabetics eat foods with bajra flour in moderation.
For instance, bajra roti is a safe food for diabetics to eat since grains like millet could reduce blood sugar levels.
Does Bajra Flour Have Gluten?
Bajra flour does not contain gluten because bajra flour is made from barja or pearl millet, which is a naturally gluten-free grain.
However, it is important to note that some bajra flour brands may have trace amounts of gluten, which can be dangerous for people sensitive or allergic to gluten.
For instance, a manufacturer may create bajra flour in a factory that produces products with gluten in them, which can potentially contaminate the bajra flour.
Therefore, you should always check the ingredients list on the back of your bajra flour to see if the words “may contain gluten” are listed.
Is Bajra Flour Better Than Wheat Flour?
Bajra flour being better than wheat flour will depend on your personal preferences and dietary needs.
For instance, bajra flour is better than wheat flour if you are allergic to gluten since bajra flour does not contain gluten.
On the other hand, wheat flour tends to be better for most bread recipes since wheat flour contains gluten, which allows the dough to rise and have a good structure.
What Can I Substitute For Bajra Flour?
If you want another flour made from millet, jowar flour is an excellent substitute because jowar flour is made from white millet.
However, it is important to note that jowar flour is milder, sweeter, and lighter than bajra flour, so you may notice a slightly different color and taste in your recipe.
Generally, most types of rice flour, given that they are not glutinous rice flour, can also be acceptable substitutes for bajra flour.
Take a look at our related articles if you want to learn what Maida flour is, what maize flour is, and what Manitoba flour is.
Conclusion
Bajra flour is flour made from black millet’s small round grains or pearl millet, which creates a slightly grey flour that tastes slightly nutty and bitter.
Generally, bajra flour is used to create recipes like bajra roti, but bajra flour is also popularly used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour, especially if the recipe does not require a lot of volume