How to Sift Wheat to Remove Bran
Bran is the hard outer husk of the wheat grain. Most flour contains some bran; the levels vary depending on the type of flour. Whole wheat flour is between five and 15 percent bran. Bran is high in protein, carbohydrates and polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats. It can ease constipation, as the soft fibers relax the contents of the bowels. It also eases irritable bowel syndrome, helps those with diabetes and reduces cholesterol. Bran is available from most health food shops; you can also make it by sifting wholemeal flour in a process called flour bolting. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Some specialist cooking shops sell tankers for bolting flour. Open the bag of flour. Place your sieve over the bowl. Pour a cup of flour into the sieve. Sift the flour through the sieve by gently banging the side of the sieve with the palm of your hand. When flour is no longer coming through the sieve, put the bran from the sieve in the other bowl and repeat the process with another cup of flour until you have sifted all the flour.
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Some bread has a high bran content, some has none at all. Put the flour back into the bag or store it in a container. You can use the sifted flour as all-purpose flour for baking.
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Wheat grows easily in America and Europe. Line the bowel with the piece of muslin. Pour the bran onto the cloth. Pick the cloth up by the corners. Hold it in one hand and let the bran drop to the bottom. Hold the cloth in both hands so the bran can move freely. Shake it vigorously over the bowl. Keep shaking until no fine flour particles are coming through the muslin. Put the bran in an airtight jar and store it in the fridge until you want to use it.
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Tips & Warnings
Bran has a high oil content and can become rancid with time. Use it within two months and discard it if it develops a musty smell.
References
- Photo Credit Breakfast image by JJAVA from Fotolia.com tankard for bolting flour image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com bread isolated on white image by Natika from Fotolia.com wheat image by purplevine from Fotolia.com
