Wheat flour, also known as Atta, is an indispensable food item in almost all Indian households. It is the best choice from a health perspective.

Whole wheat flour is rich in several nutrients including dietary fiber and vitamins B1, B3 and B5. It also has a low GI (glycemic index), which makes it a good choice for diabetic patients too.

But the market is filled with several types and brands of wheat flour, some of which are even adulterated. Thus, you need to be aware of the right type and brand of wheat flour.

To spill the beans early, you should always choose fresh Chakki Atta over the regular wheat flour. Read till the end to know all about fresh chakki atta and testing wheat flour for impurities.

Table of Contents

• What is fresh Chakki Atta?
• How is fresh Chakki Atta made?
• What makes Chakki Atta special?
• How to test wheat flour for adulteration?
• How to avoid adulterated wheat flour?
• Conclusion

What is fresh Chakki Atta?

Indian wheat grains belong to a high-protein variety called aestivum. Both the regular and Chakki Atta are made from the aestivum wheat grains. Therefore, the major difference between the regular Atta and Chakki Atta comes from their different milling processes.

In India, wheat flour is uniquely milled using a stone mill. These stone mills are commonly known as Chakkis in India. The name, Chakki Atta, is thus derived from the stone mill itself. On the contrary, the regular Atta is milled via roller mills.

A Chakki is a simple device made of a pair of stones, where one stone remains static while the other one rotates. A Chakki was operated by hand, back in the old days. But today they are fueled by electricity.

How is fresh Chakki Atta made?

As mentioned earlier, Chakki Atta is milled in a stone mill or Chakki. Here's the complete procedure of manufacturing wheat flour followed by India Gate :

1. Firstly, right after receiving the wheat grains at the mill, the entire batch is tested for protein content using both chemical and physical analysis.
2. Once tested, the wheat grains are then reviewed for any traces of ash that may be left after burning.
3. All the quality management officers and millers inspect the quality and consistency of the flour at regular intervals. As per the set protocol, they take samples at each stage of the purification and processing.
4. Each segment of the milling machinery is deeply cleaned, disinfected and sterilized with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents.
5. Once the final product is ready, it undergoes another minerals and vitamins test. Then there is a cooking test, in compliance with all the regulatory standards set by the Indian government.

What makes Chakki Atta special?

A stone mill or Chakki generates a significant amount of heat due to friction when running. This heat causes what is known as 'Starch Damage'. Furthermore, it also results in considerable damage to the protein component, when compared to other milling techniques.

Chakki atta is often preferred over roller mill atta in India, due to the unique flavor it imparts to a Chapati or Roti. The stone grinding breaks down the starch in the grains and releases some extra sweetness in the process. Moreover, it slightly burns the grains to give out a distinct flavor.

Interestingly, both methods of milling generate heat. In reality, roller mills generate even more heat than a stone mill. Thus, they even cause some loss of nutrition in the grinding.

However, unlike a Chakki, a roller miller doesn't damage the starch and protein in the flour. A Chakki alters the starch content which might not be useful for western bread making. But it serves very well for preparing the Indian bread (Chapati/Roti).

How to test wheat flour for adulteration?

Pebble straw, dust, weed seeds and damaged grains are often used to adulterate wheat flour. Even a careful visual examination can help you distinguish between the grains and some of the adulterants. Always avoid choosing a particular flour if you observe more wheat bran than wheat itself.

A simple test to check for adulteration is to sprinkle some flour in a glass of water and observe if the bran floats on top.

At times, chalk powder is also used to adulterate wheat flour. To determine the presence of chalk powder, add some dilute HCL (hydrochloric acid) to the grain sample in a test tube. If the Chalk powder is present in the sample, you will notice an effervescence or fizz.

India Gate Flours: The name of Purity

As wheat flour is highly prone to adulteration, it becomes essential to choose the right wheat brand. You need to select a brand that never compromises with quality standards and delivers premium quality fresh Chakki Atta.

One of such trustworthy brands is India Gate. Operating since 1973, India Gate is an Indian brand that has always focused on delivering the highest quality products. They have constantly raised their standards and been a step ahead of the government mandates.

With their unwavering commitment towards product quality, they have earned industry giants, like Parle, Priya Gold, Britannia and Tops as their clients. Thus, they have managed to be among the top FMCG brands in India consistently.

They specialize in manufacturing wheat products like fresh Chakki Atta, Maida, Suji, Rawa and a lot more.

Thus, you can consider India Gate as one of the best Atta brands, which can be trusted for healthy, unadulterated fresh Chakki Atta.

Conclusion

So, you have all your flour quality-related queries answered for you. In a nutshell, you need to choose fresh Chakki Atta over the regular one for your health.

You can test your flour for any impurities by careful visual observation or a few simple tests.

Finally, you need to be careful while selecting an Atta brand and only choose a premium quality Atta like the one offered by India Gate.