Semolina
Semolina is a cereal product . Grain grains, which mostly consist of wheat, are ground in a complex process.
Here’s what you should know about semolina
Semolina is understood to mean small pieces of cereal grains such as wheat grains that reach a size between 0.3 and 1.0 millimeters. They are angular or round in shape and white or yellowish-brown in colour.
Semolina is made in a similar way to flour. However, the mill gets a different setting. This process also produces a fine flour fraction, which is then sieved out and can be used as flour. For the production of semolina or flour, the miller can adjust the roller mill accordingly. In this way, either more flour particles or semolina particles are produced in the majority.
The production of semolina is considered relatively expensive. The grain grains, which are mostly wheat grains, have to be cleaned, sorted by hand and shelled before they can be ground several times. The end result is divided into coarse, medium and fine according to the degree of grinding. According to legal requirements, the proportion of flour in the semolina must be less than one percent. Uniform granulation is also required.
In most cases, semolina is produced from soft wheat or durum wheat. Durum wheat is very popular for making pasta because it stays firm when cooked. Soft wheat, on the other hand, provides a certain smoothness. The best-known semolina dishes made with it include semolina flambé and semolina pudding. In Italy, corn is often used to make semolina. But it is also enjoying increasing popularity in this country. Semolina made from corn is often called polenta.
Spelled semolina, which also has different degrees of processing, is often offered in health food stores. Sometimes there is also three-grain semolina, which is composed of spelt , wheat and rye . Most often, however, manufacturers use wheat or corn for production.
As part of the semolina production, the cereal grains are ground several times on steel rollers. Then it is sieved. This process continues until the semolina finally has the desired size. The gluten protein in the grains unfolds particularly well during the crushing process. Shortly after boiling with water, broth or milk, it binds to semolina porridge. The grain loses around 70 percent of its ingredients when it is ground.
The largest semolina producer in the world is China, ahead of India and the United States of America. This is how around 110 million tons are produced in China every year. There is no special semolina season. The taste of the grain product is considered pleasantly mild.
importance to health
Semolina can definitely be classified as a healthy food. One of its advantages is its high fiber and protein content . Furthermore, its fat content is very low. Health experts recommend semolina especially to people who suffer from a sensitive gastrointestinal tract . The crushed grain is considered to be more digestible than groats or whole grains.
However, semolina is not very popular with everyone. It is not uncommon for it to be perceived as “disgusting” and associated with unpleasant childhood memories. Nevertheless, the semolina is nutritionally valuable because it is rich in minerals, vitamins, fiber and unsaturated fatty acids.
Ingredients & nutritional values
The ingredients of semolina include various vitamins and minerals. These include vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, vitamin E and pyridoxine. Important minerals are potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sodium and iron. 100 grams of semolina contain 328 calories. Other nutritional values are 70 grams of carbohydrates, 12 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber and 1 gram of fat per 100 grams.
intolerances
People who suffer from a wheat allergy can also be sensitive to semolina made from wheat grains. Wheat allergy is one of the most common allergies in adults. Allergic reactions are manifested by a variety of symptoms.
These include a stuffy nose, hay fever , rheumatoid arthritis , diarrhea , constipation , obesity , coughing , muscle pain and cardiac arrhythmias . In such cases, it is better to consume semolina made from corn or spelt.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Semolina made from wheat or corn can easily be obtained from the supermarket. Soft wheat semolina is even offered in discount stores. All other variants are usually offered by health food stores or organic shops that also deliver organic quality.
For storage, it is recommended to keep the semolina in a cool, dry place. For this purpose, it is best stored in the pantry or pantry.
preparation tips
The preparation of semolina can be done either in the Mediterranean way or in the classic German way. The semolina dishes can be prepared both savory and sweet. Soft wheat semolina is best for semolina pudding, fluffy semolina dumplings, semolina flambé or baked dishes.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.