Maizeflour, recent years, has been having a resurgence, becoming a staple and favourite with everyone, old and young alike. This flour is a popular alternative to wheat flour which has commonly been used in many regions of Africa as well as South America, Central America and even Eastern Europe.

In Kenya, ugali, a favourite Kenyan meal, is commonly made from maize flour. The gluten-free nature of maize flour makes it easy to digest. Maize flour is also used in various dishes, sweet and savoury, as well as dishes that use regular flour.  This versatile flour, albeit less expensive, has a high nutritional value, making it a perfect addition to your pantry.  Here are some insights to note when purchasing the best maize flour in Kenya.

How to Find the Best Maize Flour Suited for You

The type of maize flour you want

There are various forms of maize flour with versatile uses. Here are a few of the most common types: –

• Cornmeal is gluten-free and can be ground from either yellow or white corn in different textures from fine to medium and coarse. It has a gritty texture and is not ground as fine as wheat flour.
• Corn Flour is whole kernel corn dried and ground very fine.  It is often used in gluten-free recipes.  It contains the hull, endosperm, and germ and is considered whole-grain flour. 
• Cornstarch is ground from the starchy centre of the kernel called the endosperm and is used to thicken pies, tarts, and sauces with a glossy finish.
• Maize dough is also known as dough flour. The maize flour is processed and ground into a fine flour that only requires water to turn into a dough.

The quality of the maize flour

The quality of the maize flour you buy greatly depends on the type you choose to buy. There are a few factors you can use to help you identify good-quality flour. Some of these quality identifiers include the following

• Checking the packaging to make sure it is clean and not torn.
• Make sure there are no insects in the bag as their presence indicates poor quality of maize used.
• Checking the colour of the powder that it is yellowish or whitish and not too dark.
• Finally smelling the flour to ensure it smells like fresh maize.

When purchasing maize flour in Kenya, ensure it is indeed maize flour and not wheat flour byasking the employees at the store where the maize flour is kept. Visit Maisha flour mill for fresh maize flour in Kenya, and for more information on maize flour.