Rice Flour

Rice flour: Rice flour is a form of flour made from finely milled rice. It is distinct from rice starch, which is usually produced by steeping rice in lye. Rice flour is a common substitute for wheat flour. It is also used as a thickening agent in recipes that are refrigerated or frozen since it inhibits liquid separation. Rice flour is primarily made from polished broken rice. Rice flour, sometimes called rice powder, is made from finely milled white raw rice and is used to make fresh rice noodles and sweets. It is also used to thicken coconut milk to a rich, smooth and creamy consistency. The rice flour is easily available in most Asian markets. Rice flour has previously been used in food products for baby foods. Today the rice flour has extensive use in many recipes. Rice flour is being used in cereals, crackers, chips, snacks, and coating applications to provide different textures. In recent years, the benefits of rice flour were discovered and the so the usage in new applications began growing dramatically in India, Japan, Southeast Asia, Thailand and USA. Rice flour is ideal for people having special dietary requirements as it has no gluten, fat and cholesterol and so it has been proven to be a perfect intake for gluten intolerant people. Rice flour can be digested easily compared to other flours and it has light and fluffy qualities. It is also an excellent thickener for sauces, gravies and custards. Rice flour is compatible to many wheat flour recipes and is also used as a thickening agent in refrigerated or frozen recipes. Manufacturers of food products, chefs and cooks have realized the nutritional value of rice flour and have replaced wheat flour with rice flour in many recipes.