Cauliflower flour: health benefits, uses and method of preparation

The Russian-Ukraine war and the climate change has led to food supply chain disruption and scarcity of several crops respectively. Wheat shortages has led to increase in their prices and it is not affordable to the poor sections of society. So what are the wheat alternatives available? How can one use cauliflower flour as a wheat alternative?

Food and wheat shortages

The world is in a food crisis. The covid pandemic caused a lot of economic issues. Job losses and food poverty cropped up. And then soon after came the Russian-Ukraine war which is ongoing. The supply of foods from these two nations are severely disrupted. And the European nations who used to import foods from these two countries are suffering.

Wheat was imported from the waring zone. And it is in short supply now. Hence, the prices of wheat has risen many fold and the poor cannot afford it anymore. Additionally, climate change has affected the yield of crops and the production has drastically fallen over the years.

Wheat alternatives are the answer to this problem. Other cereals and millets could substitute for wheat. And flour from mushrooms and cauliflower are also healthy, tasty and cheaper.

Cauliflower flour

Cauliflower flour is an excellent substitute for wheat flour. One can use it to bake cookies, breads, cakes and also pizza bases. It is good for people on keto diet and those who have to eat a gluten free diet for varied reasons.

Cauliflower is a vegetable and hence full of powerful antioxidants. It helps to fight body diseases and also provides the body with energy. Moreover, it has dietary fiber and minerals such as sulfur and magnesium. Its health benefits are innumerable. The fiber helps in digestion and to reduce body inflammation.

It helps blood bad cholesterol control and protects the heart. It also controls blood sugar and aids weight management and immunity. Additionally, it has choline that is good for learning, cognitive function and memory.

This flour is rich in vitamin B. The antioxidants also assist to reduce risk of cancer and obesity. The flour has high levels of vitamin C. And this stimulates collagen production that keeps bones strong and healthy. Its vitamin K prevents the loss of bone with age. It has detoxifying properties and mops the carcinogens in the body. It has lung benefits too. It is far free.

How to make the flour?

It has low carbs and low fats. One can use this flour in place of the regular flour in different recipes. And thus improve their nutritional value.

To make this flour, first wash the cauliflower under free flowing water well. Since the vegetable is very compact, one can separate it into its florets and then subject the florets to a thorough washing for better results. Lukewarm water is best for this rinse and wash.

After the wash, dry it well in the sun for a few days. There should be no moisture in the vegetable. Later, put it or the florets into a blender and grind it well to a fine texture. But the consistency might be coarser than that of the regular flour.

Read here: Flour: types, edibility period, how to prolong shelf life?

You can use this flour instead of refined flour or bengal gram flour. You can prepare pizza base, fritters, bakery products, pancakes etc. You can also mix it with other flours such as that of oats to cook pancakes and bake breads.