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Flour Question

17 years ago

I'm looking for help understanding the difference between Canadian flour and American flour.

I have lived in the states for 21 years but am originally from Vancouver, B.C. My mom has always made the best pancakes. In my early married years, I tried to create her pancakes unsuccessfully. It irritated me over the years, and then mom and I started experimenting. She would try to make pancakes when visiting me in the states, and they wouldn't turn out. When I visited my parents, I'd make pancakes and they'd be wonderful. We finally realized there was an ingredient issue, and over the years we've narrowed it down to flour. Now, whenever friends or family come down to visit us, I ask them to bring a bag of Five Roses flour, and whenever I return from Canada, I always bring a few bags down. Yeah. It sometimes causes the border crossing guards to raise their eyebrows. "What are you bring back across with you today?" "A bottle of Pendleton, a bottle of Grey Goose, and 2 bags of flour." They're cool with the alcohol but the flour usually gets a conversation going.

So, my question is why? What is the difference? I specifically notice the difference in pancakes, but there is a slightly less noticeable difference in biscuits and pie crusts. I usually save the flour for pancakes.

I have tried experimenting with adding cake flour to the various American brands, but it still doesn't work.

Any thoughts on this?

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Comments (8)

User
17 years ago
The difference is Canadian flour has a higher % of protein (higher Gluten). I noticed the same thing when I lived in the US. I tried every flour available; Gold Medal, Pillsbury, King Arthur,etc... and my bread turned out different than when I made it with Canadian flour. Although I will use Red Rose or Robin Hood flours, my favourite Canadian flour is Rogers. Rogers all purpose has a higher protein than most US bread flours. I use to bring Rogers back every time we crossed the border.

Ann
ganggreen980
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you so much, Ann! I guess you're saying there is no easy way to tweak the flour here to approximate the Canadian flour. I guess I'll continue to request flour from visitors and pick it up when I'm up there. Red Rose has been my flour of choice but only because that's what my mom uses, it's what her mom used, etc. As a matter of fact, in March we had to drive to 3 grocery stores to get it on the way out of town. I'll look for Rogers next time I'm there.

I don't have a good way to store large amounts of flour. Would storing excess in the freezer in the garage work? If so, I may be willing to get larger quantities and use it in some bread.

Thanks again!

Mandie
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CA Kate z9
17 years ago
Yes, you can freeze the extra flour.
lorijean44
17 years ago
I always add vital wheat gluten to my bread doughs (about 1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten to 4 - 6 cups of a.p. flour/ bread flour). I always get a softer, easier-to-work-with dough using the VWG.

Lori
laceyvail 6A, WV
17 years ago
Wouldn't the problem be solved by using American Bread flour?
annie1992
17 years ago
laceyvail, some bread flours like Gold Medal and Pillsbury have approximately the same protein percentage as King Arthur All Purpose, which is my favorite flour.

AnnT, I can get Robin Hood here in my local grocery, I wonder if it's the same as you get there? I think I'll give it a try when I need flour next time.

Annie
kathleenca
17 years ago
ganggreen, as westelle said, you can freeze flour; in fact, I try to freeze it when I first bring it home to kill any moths, weevils & other ickies that are in the meal.

Are you interested in ordering flour by mail? My Brands has 10lb bags of Robin Hood at http://mybrands.com/Product.aspx?pid=4284

Bagus carries Red Rose, http://www.bagus.com.my/products_flour.asp

I didn't find a mail source for Rogers, though.
ganggreen980
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you, Kathleen, for the ordering info! It never occurred to me that I could order online. I'll file that info away just in case. We typically make fairly regular trips up and down the I-5 corridor, as do our parents, but it's great to know I have backup!

Mandie

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