Hey friend, ever scrolled through a grocery app or website and paused at the flour section, thinking: “Wait… What’s the difference between atta and maida? Do I need rice flour? What’s this millet mix?”You’re not alone.Flour seems simple, but once you start cooking more often, you realise how many varieties there are—and each one has a purpose. Whether it’s for making soft rotis, crispy snacks, or healthy meals, choosing the right flour makes a huge difference in your kitchen.Let’s make this easy. Here's a full breakdown of common flour types you can buy online at United Supermarket and how to pick the right one without getting confused.Why choosing the right flour actually mattersFlour is the base of most South Indian and North Indian meals. Rotis, dosas, vadai, bajjis, cakes, biscuits, even halwas – they all need a specific type of flour.Using the wrong one can ruin the texture, taste, or even the health benefits. For example, atta gives you fibre and fullness, while maida gives softness but not much nutrition.Buying the right flour saves you time, reduces food waste, and makes your dishes taste better.The most common flours you’ll find at United SupermarketWheat Atta (Whole Wheat Flour) This is what most homes use daily for chapati and roti. It’s made by grinding whole wheat grains and contains fibre, iron, and energy. It’s healthier than maida and gives soft, pliable rotis. Try brands like Aashirvaad or Pillsbury Whole Wheat Atta, available fresh at United Supermarket.Maida (Refined Flour) Maida is smoother and whiter because it’s more refined. It’s perfect for bakery-style items like cakes, white bread, and parottas. It gives elasticity and a soft finish but is low in fibre. Best for: weekend treats, bakery items, parottas, samosas, or fried snacks. But avoid daily use.Rice Flour This light, white flour is made by finely grinding rice. It’s great for South Indian snacks like murukku, seedai, thattai, and kozhukattai. Also used to make crispy dosas and for thickening batters. It’s gluten-free, so it's perfect if someone in your house is allergic to wheat.Ragi, Bajra, Jowar (Millet Flours) These are local, traditional flours made from nutrient-rich millets. They’re packed with iron, calcium, and are perfect for those managing diabetes, PCOS, or just looking to eat cleaner. These flours are used for rotis, dosas, and porridges. You can also mix them with wheat flour to balance taste and health.Multigrain Flour A combo of wheat, ragi, oats, jowar, barley, and other grains, multigrain flour is a healthy alternative to regular atta. It’s great for those who want to improve digestion and energy. If your goal is a “feel light” meal or fibre boost, this is your go-to. It gives a slightly nutty taste and is more filling.Gram Flour (Besan) Made from chana dal, besan is smooth, yellowish, and super versatile. It’s used for bajji, pakoda, cheela, dhokla, and even for sweets like Mysore pak. It’s also high in protein and good for weight watchers.What flour for what purpose?Atta – Soft rotis, parathas, phulkasMaida – Cakes, biscuits, puffs, parottasRice Flour – Murukku, kozhukattai, seedaiRagi Flour – Porridge, ragi dosa, kids’ foodMultigrain – Diabetic-friendly rotis, weight loss dietBesan – Pakoda, bajji, dhokla, Mysore pakYou can also experiment by mixing! I often use 50% atta + 50% ragi flour for soft and healthy rotis.Extra flours you might like to tryCorn Flour – For soups, Chinese dishes, saucesSooji / Rava – For upma, kesari, and crispy dosa batterTapioca Flour (Javvarisi maavu) – Great for fasting foods and sabudana snacksThese are also available on United Supermarket depending on stock. Keep checking the site regularly.What to look for while buying flour online?Fresh stock – Always check the packing and expiry dateClean packaging – Avoid torn or loose packetsRight quantity – If you’re trying a new flour, start with 500g packsBrand reliability – Go for brands like Aashirvaad, Anil, BambinoStorage instructions – Keep in airtight containers, in a cool, dry placeWhy I buy flour from United SupermarketHonestly, the biggest advantage is freshness. I’ve had flour from regular stores that smelled old or turned lumpy quickly. But from United Supermarket:Every packet comes sealed and cleanThe expiry dates are clearDelivery is quick, usually same day or next day in TirunelveliCustomer care helps if anything goes wrongNo need to carry 5kg bags home—it comes to my door!And I love that I can find everything in one place—whether I’m restocking daily atta or getting special flour for Diwali snacks.My real-life flour routineHere’s what I keep at home and why:Aashirvaad Atta (5kg) – Daily use for chapatisMaida (500g) – For baking cookies or parotta nightsRice Flour (500g) – For murukku or bajji daysMultigrain Atta (1kg) – For alternate week healthy mealsBesan (500g) – My snack secret, always!If you’ve never tried millet flour before, start slow. Mix 30% millet flour with atta at first. Once your family gets used to the taste, go 50/50 or more.Final thoughtsFlour might seem like a simple thing—but it decides how your food turns out. Whether it’s soft rotis, crispy snacks, or healthy dosas, each flour has its place.Next time you shop online, don’t just add any flour to your cart. Think about what you want to cook, how often you’ll use it, and how fresh it is.And if you want to make it super easy, just shop all your flours from United Supermarket. You’ll get the right pack, at the right price, and right to your doorstep.Happy cooking!
