What Is Maize Flour? [Benefits & Uses]

Maize flour, the second most manufactured flour after wheat flour, is noted for its beautiful and unique texture as well as its maize (corn) flavor. Maize flour, sometimes known as corn flour, has been given several other names. But, if they’re the same thing, what exactly is maize flour?

When you ground the dried seed of the maize plant, also known as a corn kernel, you get maize flour.

Maize flour, which is used in baking and cooking, is also recognized for its health advantages and adaptability in extended usage situations outside of the kitchen. I’ll describe what maize flour is, what it’s used for, and why you should include it in your diet in greater detail below.

What Is Maize Flour Made Of?

Maize flour is a fine powder created from the grinding of a complete dry maize kernel and is manufactured from corn. You may be wondering, but it is not what I generally refer to as corn flour. In truth, corn flour and maize flour are the same thing. The only distinction? Corn flour is the term used in the United States, but maize flour is more often used in the United Kingdom.

Despite the fact that maize is the crop in its agricultural setting; all maize is corn (but not all corn is maize). Difficult to describe and comprehend, both terms refer to the same thing: the flour made by crushing dry maize.

Fun fact: the two names are used interchangeably in the United States. Depending on where you live, the fine powder made from maize (corn) might be corn flour or maize flour.

What Is Maize Flour Used For?

Maize flour is a very versatile substance having culinary, commercial, and even medicinal applications. Let us briefly go through the three most prevalent applications of maize flour:

Culinary

Maize flour is used in baking and as a meat binder (for example, croquettes). In baking, you may use maize flour to give your bread, muffins or doughnuts, pancakes, wafers, or biscuits an earthier taste.

For added crispiness, use maize flour in the batter for fried chicken nuggets, tenders, or wings. Not to mention the amazing tortillas, which are evidence that maize flour is a unique ingredient and that anything that contains maize flour naturally receives a great earthy corn flavor.

Industrial

Surprisingly, maize flour was originally used for starching garments rather than baking. Maize flour is also employed as an adhesive, which is very useful in the conversation of books and paper.

Medical

Maize flour, in addition to being a non-sticking ingredient in medical gloves and condoms, provides various health advantages. Read on to learn more about them.

Is Maize Flour the Same as Wheat Flour?

Maize flour and wheat flour are not interchangeable. They vary in texture, taste, and nutritional value. Another distinction between the two is that maize flour is gluten-free, but wheat flour is not. [1] When it comes to calories, wheat flour has more per 100 grams than maize flour.[2] [3]

Can we substitute one for the other while baking or cooking? We can, but the outcomes will be different than intended. Nonetheless, maize flour is a decent replacement for wheat flour in terms of health.

What Are the Health Benefits of Maize Flour?

Maize flour, which is made by grinding corn kernels, has the same vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and carbohydrate found in corn.

That is why maize flour is so high in key elements necessary for optimum health. [4] Among them are the following:

Iron is necessary for transporting oxygen throughout the body.

Phosphorus is required to filter waste, heal tissues, strengthen bone density, and generate energy.

Potassium is an excellent vitamin for controlling blood pressure, aiding digestion, and maintaining heart rhythm. It also improves the function of the neurological system.

Zinc is vital for our immune system.

Apart from that, maize flour provides major health advantages such as anemia and cancer prevention, as well as improving eye health and supporting a gluten-free diet.[5] [6] [7]

Another intriguing aspect about maize flour is that it is low in saturated fats. It has almost minimal cholesterol.

However, in excess, it may disturb your digestive system, resulting in unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea. [8]