How to Test Flour for Self-Rising or All-Purpose
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Here is a quick and fool-proof baking tip for how to test flour to know if you have self-rising flour or all-purpose flour!
Looking for more helpful kitchen tips? You may like to know how to make buttermilk substitute, how to make self-rising flour, and how to freeze eggs. These tips are practical and so helpful to know!
What is All-Purpose Flour?
All-purpose flour is a versatile flour that is commonly made from a blend of hard and soft wheat. It generally has between 8% and 11% protein, making the gluten content great for general-purpose flour. You can find all-purpose flour that has been bleached as well as unbleached.
In the UK and other areas, all-purpose flour is referred to as plain flour.
What is Self-Rising Flour?
Self-rising flour is flour that already has baking powder and a little salt added. It is a staple ingredient in many Southern kitchens as it is used in making recipes such as biscuits, cornbread, and other Southern favorites.
How to Test Flour for Self-Rising or All-Purpose
There are times that you may have decanted your flours into containers and may not have labeled them properly. (I’ve surely been there and done that!) That’s when this quick and easy tip on how to test flour so you can always know if you have self-rising flour or all-purpose flour is handy.
- Add about 1/2 teaspoon of each flour to separate glass ramekin or bowl.
- Pour 1/2 teaspoon white distilled vinegar into each flour bowl and watch for a change in the flour.
- The self-rising flour will bubble and foam a little; while the all-purpose flour will not.
The Science Behind the Result
The baking soda that is in the self-rising flour reacts with the vinegar to foam and bubble just enough so you’ll be able to know one from the other.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Thanks – I just cleaned out my pantry and found a canister I had forgotten to mark and didn’t know if it was bread flour or self raising. this worked perfectly. Cheers.
That’s a great tip.Every time I get confused too to choose the right flour and local shopkeepers often sell the all purpose flour in name of self rising flour.Thanks for sharing the tip.
Robyn, I always learn something from you! This is a great one. 🙂
Now I know.
Thanks for the tip Ms. Robyn.
God bless?
That is a great tip. I shared it on twitter, because like me I’m not sure many people know how to check if you lose labeling. I bet the cake turned out great.
Another way would be to taste a small amount of each flour. The self rising will have a salt flavor.
Thanks, thats a good tip to know
Fantastic tip. Pinned for my granddaughter and myself. Thanks for sharing.
Robyn, that is a handy tip. Sometimes we put something up thinking we’ll remember what it was or that we’ll go back a bit later and mark it. For me, I don’t seem to get around to doing that like I was supposed to.
Your error may have helped many people with this situation so thank you for sharing. Love your blog. Recipes, ideas and helpful hints.