Rice Flour

White and Brown Rice Flour

Available in both white and brown rice flour forms, this sensational flour product is ideal for those looking to avoid wheat and gluten. It is made from milled rice and has long been a staple food for those in Japan, Southeast Asia and parts of Southern India. It is an extremely popular ingredient in soups and pasta sauces because of its ability to prevent liquid from separating. It also provides some handy health benefits for those who choose to consume it.

What is rice flour?

Rice flour is made much like other flours by grinding the rice grain down into a powder. Exactly how the flour is made will determine how healthy it is.
The grain has three distinct components, the bran, germ and endosperm. Rice flour is made by separating these three components and grinding them. How much of each component is included in the final product determines how it is classified. Whole grain rice flour contains all three components of the rice kernel. Whole flours have reduced levels of bran and germ, while white rice flours generally only contains the endosperm.

What is rice flour used for?

Rice flour is generally used for baking and acts as a worthy substitute for wheat based flours. It is worth remembering that rice flour will need to be used in combination with other gluten free flours and starches to achieve a similar effect to all purpose flour. Most gluten free recipes that recommend rice flour will provide the right ratio of complementary ingredients to achieve the desired effect.

How much rice flour to replace wheat flour?

The answer to this question will depend upon how you intend to use the flour. If you are using rice flour as a thickening agent in soup or gravy, you can safely use very similar amounts. However, when baking the answer is not so straightforward and may require some experimentation unless working with a recipe that specifically states the use of rice flour. Generally to substitute rice flour for all purpose flour you will need a mixture of rice flour, potato starch, tapioca flour and xanthan gum.

The health benefits of rice flour

There are some great health benefits that come with the consumption of rice flour on a semi-regular basis. These benefits include:

It is a great gluten-free choice. Because rice flour is made using a gluten-free grain, it is a solid choice for those who have gluten intolerances or suffer from celiac disease. Gluten is most commonly found in grain products, such as wheat. These wheat products are often used in many dishes and this is less than ideal for those with intolerances. This can result in severe digestive problems. Rice flour offers the perfect alternative for these people.
It can lower cholesterol and maintain blood sugar levels. Rice flour contains an impressive amount of insoluble fibre. This type of fibre may help lower cholesterol and maintain blood sugar levels making it an ideal product for those at risk of heart disease and at risk of developing type-2 diabetes.
It may help improve liver functioning. Rice flour contains choline and this is an important macronutrient that can help the body to remove triglycerides and cholesterol from out of the liver to other parts of the body. This in turn leads to the individual maintaining a healthier liver than would otherwise be the case.

What to cook with rice flour

Cooking with rice flour offers many possibilities and a gluten free way of cooking. A quick perusal of a gluten free cookbook will give you numerous ideas. Some popular recipes include banana brownies, gluten free muffins, shortbread biscuits and gluten free batters.

Rice flour Australia