What is the Difference Between White Wheat and Whole Wheat?

The main difference between white wheat and whole wheat lies in the processing and the variety of wheat used. Here are the key differences:

1. Fiber content: Whole wheat flour contains the natural level of fiber found in wheat, while plain white flour has been stripped of all the fiber during the production process.
2. Variety of wheat: Whole-wheat flour is made from hard red spring or winter wheat, which has a nutty, hearty taste, while white whole-wheat flour is made from hard white spring or winter wheat, which has the exact same nutritional value as whole-wheat flour but has a milder flavor and paler color.
3. Nutritional content: Whole wheat flour is rich in vitamins B-1, B-3, and B-5, riboflavin, and folate, and contains more iron, calcium, protein, and other nutritional elements than white flour. White whole-wheat flour is nutritionally equivalent to classic red wheat.
4. Color: Whole wheat flour is slightly darker in color compared to plain white flour because it contains the bran and germ found naturally in wheat. White whole-wheat flour is lighter in color and milder in flavor compared to traditional whole-wheat flour.
5. Shelf life: White flour is often bleached with a whitening agent, which increases its shelf life. Whole wheat flour, on the other hand, contains bran and germ that are found naturally in wheat, which reduce its shelf life.

White whole-wheat flour can generally be used interchangeably with traditional whole-wheat flour in recipes, as it retains all the nutritional benefits of regular whole wheat.

Comparative Table: White Wheat vs Whole Wheat

White wheat and whole wheat differ in their variety and processing methods. Here is a comparative table highlighting the differences between the two:

In summary, white wheat is made from a different variety of wheat than whole wheat, and it has a milder flavor and paler color. Despite the differences in taste and color, white wheat has the same nutritional value as whole wheat because it is made by grinding all three layers of the wheat berry, just like whole wheat.