CategoriesAgro Food Healthy Foods
by 0

The Superfood Revolution with Saroj Agro Industries

Celebrate the International Year of Millets with Saroj Agro Industries'Brands- Vijay Gold and Mastercook!

The year 2023 has been declared the International Year of Millets by the United Nations to raise awareness about the importance of these superior cereals in the global food systems. Millets are an important staple food in many parts of the world, especially in Africa and Asia. They are highly nutritious, gluten-free, and have a low glycemic index, making them an ideal food for people with dietary restrictions.

Saroj Agro Industries, the parent company of Vijay Gold and Mastercook brandsis proud to support the International Year of Millets. The company has been a pioneer in promoting the use of millet in modern diets and has been producing millet-based products for decades.

Vijay Gold and Mastercook brands offer a wide range of whole millet-based products, including kodo millets, foxtail millets, ragi flour, jowar flour, bajra flour. These products are made from 100% natural ingredients, and every raw material goes through a 4-step cleaning procedure and additional 28 quality checks to ensure the highest quality standards.


Millets: A Nutritious and Resilient Crop

 

 

The declaration of 2023 as The International Year of Millets aims to raise awareness about the importance of millet in addressing global food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable agriculture. Millets are a group of small-seeded grasses that have been cultivated for thousands of years, and they have played a significant role in the diets of millions of people around the world, particularly in Africa and Asia.

The International Year of Millets is crucial because millets are a highly nutritious and sustainable crop. They require very little water and are resistant to pests and diseases, making them an excellent choice for farmers in regions with limited resources. Millets are also rich in protein, fibre, and micronutrients, making them an essential source of nutrition, especially for vulnerable populations.


Shree Anna- The Sacred Grains

Shree Anna is a term that is being used to refer to millets in India, where millets have been a staple food for centuries. The term “Shree” means sacred, and “Anna” means food, highlighting the importance of millets in Indian culture. The promotion of Shree Anna and the International Year of Millets is significant because it helps to restore the traditional farming practices and diets that have been lost due to the dominance of industrial agriculture and processed foods. By promoting the cultivation and consumption of millets, we can promote sustainable agriculture, support local farmers, and improve global food security.

Our Role in this Revolution

Vijay Gold and Mastercook have been at the forefront of promoting the use of millet in modern diets. The brands have been actively involved in educating people about the health benefits of millets and have been promoting the use of millets in various food products. In light of this, Vijay Gold is expanding their range of millet-based products by introducing two new products-Vijay Ragi Malt and Vijay Ragi HuriHittu. These additions aim to provide consumers with more options for nutritious and delicious millet-based foods.

As we celebrate the International Year of Millets, let us all join hands to make a conscious effort to include millet-based products in our meals and experience the health benefits of this superfood.


CategoriesAgro Food Healthy Foods
by 0

Are You Using the Right Flour?

Source: https://www.wellcurve.in/blog/different-types-of-flour-name-list/

Introduction

For a cook, flour is the most important ingredient, especially in an Indian kitchen. We use flour in almost all of our recipes. It serves as the basis on which we construct other flavors. It contains the most of our favorite baked goods, including buttery biscuits, flaky pie crust, a soft fluffy chapati and basic sandwich bread.

While any cereal or millet can be ground into a fine flour and can be used to make a variety of products, including bajra flour, ragi flour, or even the commonly used rice flour. However, the most common type of flour not only in an Indian kitchen but in any kitchen around the world is plain old wheat flour.

 

While this question may never have bothered many people, there are still some perfectionists who have wondered- What exactly is the right kind of flour to use?

It can be challenging to choose the right type of wheat flour because there are so many available. Do you require whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, high gluten flour, or any of the other types of flour?

You must be aware of what to search for to aid in your decision. You can make sense of the wide variety available by knowing your flour’s protein content, hardness, and extraction rate.

 

The main differences between the various types of flour are only these two things:

 

1.  Processing Methodology

Source: https://www.taixingmachinery.com/products/wheat/30.html

 

Flour behavior is affected by processing. Before wheat is converted into flour, it must first be ground through a number of roller mills, sieves, etc. Manufacturers can adjust a number of variables that affect the characteristics of the flour, including:

 

  • Bleaching: The majority of flour producers bleach their flour to give it an unnaturally white appearance using substances like chlorine dioxide and benzoyl peroxide. By delaying oxidation and the development of off flavors, it helps to extend the shelf life of the flour. The behavior of flour is affected by bleaching as well.

     

  • Particle Size: Particle size is an additional variable. Semolina is one type of flour that is purposefully milled to have larger particles than other types of flour. Cake-making flour is typically ground more finely than bread-making flour.

     

  • Extraction Rate: The extraction rate is used by manufacturers to specify exactly how much is sieved out. An extraction rate of 95–100% applies to whole wheat flour. In other words, the amount of bran, germ, and endosperm is the same as it would have been in the original wheat. On the other hand, white flour typically has an extraction rate less than 75%. Neither the germ nor the bran are present.

     

  • Ash Content: The term “ash content” describes how much ash would remain after burning 100 g of flour. More germ, bran, and outer endosperm are present in the flour, which is indicated by a higher ash content. A lower ash content indicates a higher degree of refinement in the flour i.e. a lower extraction rate.

     

2. Wheat variety

Source: https://www.goodness.com.au/blog/guide-to-flour-types-and-uses/

 

Application of the flour is dictated by the wheat variety. The process of milling wheat kernels into flour produces all types of wheat flour. However, not all wheat kernels are equal. Around 20 wheat varieties from seven species are grown around the world.

 

  • Hardness: Wheat grains are subjected to a great deal of pressure during milling to ensure that they shatter into smaller pieces. Some varieties of wheat are extremely tough and difficult to break. Some are easier to break and, consequently, mill because they are softer.

     

  • The starch granules within a wheat kernel are likely to be damaged if it is more difficult to break the wheat kernel. Undamaged starch is less able to absorb water than damaged starch. This may be desirable for breads but not so much for cakes. Because of this, softer flours are frequently used for cakes while harder flours are better suited for breads.

     

  • Gluten Content: Making any kind of flour-based product requires the use of gluten because it affects the product’s texture, density, and final composition.
    Gluten is a protein that occurs naturally in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. It functions as a binder, securing the food and giving it a “stretchy” quality.

    For cakes and other baked goods that don’t need gluten, cake, all-purpose, or pastry flours are used. This is so that they aren’t required to be elastic and can be denser so that they maintain their shape without stretching.

    Gluten is necessary for breads to have that slightly stretchy, fluffy, or layered texture, whether they are leavened or not. A large amount of gluten is required to make chapati. The product will be better the more gluten it contains.

  • Protein Content: You need wheat flour with a high protein content if you want to make good, fluffy bread or pasta. The dough can be pulled and stretched thanks to the proteins in gluten. On the other hand, if you’re making a delicate tart shell or baking a cake, you don’t want any gluten to form, so you need a low-protein flour.

    A flour’s protein content is entirely dependent on the type of wheat used to make it and how it was raised. The protein content doesn’t change after harvest. Flours based on their difference in protein amount are discussed below:

    Source: https://www.goodness.com.au/blog/guide-to-flour-types-and-uses/


  • Whole wheat Atta: 13-15% protein– It is the Indian type of whole wheat flour that is processed in a chakki. It is the best type of flour to make chapati or the indian flatbread which needs a granulated texture and loads whole grain goodness.

    Refined or AllPurpose Flour: 11.7% protein- It is a very versatile flour. All-purpose flour has a medium protein content, so you can use it in any recipe that calls for flour, but it works best in baked goods like cookies, muffins, quick breads, and pie crusts.


  • Bread Flour: 12.7% protein- The potential rise of yeast bread increases with protein content.

  • White Whole Wheat Flour: 13% protein- This flour functions more like all-purpose flour and has a similar nutritional profile to whole wheat, but it has a milder flavor and lighter color.

  • Whole Wheat Flour: 14% protein- To produce a stronger, more distinctive flavor and more nutrition, whole wheat flour is milled from the entire wheat grain, including the bran and inner germ.

  • Self-Rising Flour: 8.5% protein- The creamy and light texture of this flour is admired by bakers around the world. Salt and baking powder is added for a better combination.

     

  • Summary

    Despite the significant role flour plays in our kitchens, it is frequently forgotten when discussing ingredients. We carefully select the other ingredients in our recipes, weighing the pros and cons of various chocolates and cheeses but the base of the dish, the flour is often overlooked.

Chapati Flour

Source: https://images.tv9telugu.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/chapati-flour.jpg?w=360


The most widely used types of flour, including cake flour, pastry flour, self-rising flour, gluten-free flour, and refined flour, are absolutely unacceptable for making chapati. To make the perfect chapati, high gluten flour is required.

Cake flour

Source:https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2020/08/plain-flour-cakes-hero-01614ff.jpg


In comparison to all-purpose flour, cake flour has a lower extraction rate and lesser protein.

Bread flour

Source: https://images.ctfassets.net/3s5io6mnxfqz/4KSsd7fAaUYc1KQR4gQrgm/6341908419781460849f61c24b55da10/AdobeStock_349431339.jpeg


There is a lot of protein in bread flour. It is typically milled similarly to all-purpose flour in terms of extraction rate, but it is made from various types of wheat as opposed to all-purpose flour.

 

Self-rising and all-purpose flour

Source:https://www.jessicagavin.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/types-of-flour-1-1200.jpg



All-purpose flour is designed to be suitable for all intended uses. As a result, it is passably good at a variety of things rather than excellent at any one. It has a suitable extraction rate and a moderate protein content for white flour.

 

References

  1. How do you choose the right flour? | King Arthur Baking
  2. The Best Flour For Chapati In 2022 – Foods Guy
  3. How to Choose the Right Type of Flour – FoodCrumbles

CategoriesAgro Food
by 0

6 Emerging Trends in the Agro-Food Industry

Written by : Samrudh Srinath

Introduction

Predicting the Food and Beverage industry’s future is difficult, especially after a terrible pandemic flipped the industry upside down. However, there are a few major takeaways from the last year that are likely to have an impact in 2022 and beyond. Our Food Processing sector must keep up with the latest innovations as it is critical to adapt to new technologies to keep in sync with changing perspectives and consumer behavior. This has become even more essential in light of the surge in demand for packaged foods and beverages as a result of protracted home closures due to the pandemic.

 

So, what exactly does the Food and Beverage industry have in store for the future? We’ll go over some of the major trends in this blog, ranging from emerging technologies in the Food and Beverage industry to highlighting consumers’ expectations today.

 

1. Migration from sugar, oily and maida-based products to healthy alternatives

The industry is seeing a shift away from regular sugar and maida consumption as well as finding new ways to circumvent it. There are several reasons for this, such as obesity and extra belly fat, both of which are risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, are often related to consuming a lot of refined sugar. High sodium foods have been linked to heart failure and heart attacks, kidney problems, fluid retention, stroke, and osteoporosis, whereas foods made from maida have a high glycemic index.

Many new developments and revivals of age-old customs are gaining popularity as ways to avoid using them. For example, instead of refined sugar, a large percentage of the enlightened population has begun to use jaggery, stevia, and other sweeteners. Whole wheat flour, oat flour, and other flours are great alternatives to maida. Even commercial food producers are adapting and changing their marketing strategies to keep up with this new trend.

Oil is another essential consideration. Deep-fried, oily, and greasy foods are unhealthy, and they can lead to obesity, joint pain, breast and ovarian cancer, strokes, diabetes, hypertension, and heart attacks, among others.

There are a few ways to reduce oil consumption:

• Instead of frying, try roasting, baking, grilling, or steaming your meal.

• When cooking, use a teaspoon to ensure that you are using a consistent and precise amount of oil.

• Use a blend of oils in moderation to receive all the required fatty acids. Sunflower oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, peanut oil, rice bran oil, mustard oil, and sesame oil are some of the oils you can use.

Many sugar-free, oil-free, and whole wheat/millet-based recipes are becoming increasingly popular, and marketers are exploring new production methods to meet this demand. As a result, in order to meet this shifting demand, the food industry must adapt and update.

 

2. Fitness trends

There is a growing trend towards fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Fitness is more often than not misinterpreted as bodybuilding, but fitness at its core means maintaining a healthy mind and body. Either way, the masses are moving toward fitness and health, and this directly affects the food industry.

A rule of thumb in fitness is more protein, fewer carbs. There is a growing demand for high-protein, high-fiber, and low-calorie snack and meal options. We see multiple startups offering healthy and/or high-protein food and beverage options.

One thing is certain: Indians desire to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. The most popular diets and exercise regimens right now are those that encourage optimal nutrition, recuperation, and sickness and injury avoidance. Whole-health diets, back-to-basics food and exercise regimens, exotic culinary influences, functional fitness, mind/body exercises, and the “buddy system” of working out are among the health trends on the rise. As a result, the food business must keep up and offer healthier, more protein-dense, whole meals. This applies not just to food production but also to food preparation, as well as to techniques, the environment, and service facilities.

Another important development is the introduction of healthy snacks such as vacuum-fried and freeze-dried snacks by several start-ups in India. To preserve the optimum nutrients, original flavor, and original shape of the food, companies use vacuum frying or freeze-drying techniques.

3. Increasing consumer awareness and demand for organic products

People nowadays are aware that agriculture is one of the least regulated industries. Some farmers, for example, employ a lot of insecticides and chemical fertilizers to protect their produce from insects and improve productivity per acre. These chemicals are harming the bio-cycle, and humans are already feeling the effects of unintentional chemical overuse. Overexposure to chemicals is connected to a wide range of dangerous illnesses. Organic foods provide a long-term answer to this issue. In India, the organic food business is still in its infancy, although it is rapidly increasing. In the coming years, organic foods will inevitably become the standard.

Most conventional grocery stores now have organic food items prominently displayed in their produce and dairy shelves. Organic food has also become increasingly popular among a wider group of consumers. Today, organic handlers are selling more organic products to conventional shops and club stores than ever before. Organic farms, on the other hand, have struggled to keep up with demand at times, resulting in periodic organic food shortages.

It’s worth noting that organic food is more expensive than conventional produce. This difference may appear small and insignificant in consumer quantities, but switching totally to organic products will be significant for businesses. This is why, even though the demand for typical produce has reduced, it continues to thrive.

4. Role of technology, frozen and instant or ready-to-cook/eat foods and beverages

Demands for food and beverages with improved nutritional value, sustainability, or ethical impact are being met via technology. The most significant trends in the country are frozen, instant or ready-to-eat foods, and high-pressure processing (HPP).

The frozen food business in India has been booming for some time now, thanks to the rising demand for natural products. Individual Quick Freeze (IQF) is a superior freezing method that has been introduced by a few Indian enterprises. Instead of blocking freezing, which causes larger ice crystals to damage product quality, IQF is a quick freezing technique. Individual pieces of fruits and vegetables, meat, and seafood products that are swiftly frozen, preventing larger ice crystals from forming, are referred to as IQF foods. 

Instant and precooked food items have very good scope, as the younger generation has little or no knowledge of preparing home-cooked foods. To accommodate this demand, more companies are developing and creating instant food options.

HPP is a method of killing hazardous bacteria by applying intense pressure. HPP technology helps to preserve the food product’s taste, appearance, and nutritional content. Pressure technology is best suited for high-moisture liquids and solid foods. HPPs are commonly used in the food sector to preserve fruit and vegetable products such as jams, purees, juices, meats, and fish. However, HPP is only used in a few items in India, such as fruit and vegetable juices and ready-to-eat meals.

To meet consumer expectations, food makers must keep up with technological developments and tap into the industry’s experience, particularly when it comes to solving the obstacles of making great-tasting healthy foods.

5. Sustainable production and marketing and transparency

Despite the general public’s lack of awareness of the SDGs, many customers are becoming more interested in sustainable and ethically sourced food and drink items, and manufacturers are responding. Some of the important trends that are impacting product development — and, as a result, the ingredients sector — include sustainability. For example, many people believe that organically grown food is healthier for the environment, and awareness of the livestock sector’s disproportionately large CO2 emissions is fuelling interest in alternative protein sources such as pulses and insects, as well as the trend toward meat-free diets.

A few initiatives and regulations to improve sustainability in the food industry:

  • National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)
  • Planting trees under NBM, BGREI, SMAF and NFSM schemes
  • Climate change program, Government of India.
  • Agricultural production policy, Government of India.
  • Ethical Trading Initiative

6. Slow but steady rise in advocacy of plant-based diet/veganism

By now, everyone in the trade is aware of the expanding plant-based diet trend and the rising demand for plant-forward products. Plant-based eating has become more mainstream, resulting in rapid expansion in new market segments, particularly when it comes to alternative proteins and indulgence.

In fact, compared with the previous year, the average yearly growth in plant-based foods and beverages has grown at a rapid pace. A lot of consumers prefer plant-based alternatives because they believe they taste better. This creates a huge opportunity for brands that choose to work with ingredient firms that specialise in flavour solutions for plant-based applications. Well-known brands are beginning to provide vegan versions of their products, with several major releases in 2021. In a few markets, McDonald’s has introduced the McPlant line. Plant-based meat firms are sprouting up all over the place, and they’re becoming increasingly popular. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is also a major advocate for veganism, which is gaining a lot of traction among the general public.

The development of the plant-based lifestyle has been helped by social media. Celebrities who do not consume animal products include Ariana Grande, Miley Cyrus, and Ellen DeGeneres, and the hashtag #vegan has more than 90 million posts on Instagram.

The main reasons for eating less meat or becoming vegan are; health, weight loss, animal welfare, the environment, antibiotic concerns, and flavor.

Conclusion

 

Due to growing consumer awareness, it is now more important than ever that companies comply with safety standards and government regulations and also effectively communicate with the consumers about said compliance. FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) is the food regulatory body in India. It begins the process of aligning India’s food legislation with foreign norms. The FSSAI is a national regulatory body tasked with developing science-based food standards and regulating and monitoring the manufacture, processing, storage, distribution, sale, and import of food in order to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption