All-purpose flour is a kind of processed wheat flour that contains neither the germ (the sprouting part) nor the bran (the outer coating) of wheat. The wheat germ is replaced by niacin, riboflavin, thiamin and iron, and sometimes vitamins A and D are also added. That’s the reason; these flours are labeled as enriched.
All-purpose flour comes in two forms— unbleached and bleached. The flour that is bleached naturally as it ages is called unbleached. Bleached flour is chemically treated to accelerate the aging process and treated to improve its consistency and baking properties. Bleached flour is fine in texture and white in color and has less protein than unbleached flour, which is coarse and yellowish.
Bleached flour is best for making cookies, pound cakes, pancakes, pie crusts, and waffles while unbleached flour is suitable for making yeast breads, puddings, cream puffs, and popovers. Though both flours can be used interchangeably, the effect in texture and color would not be same.
Since, the germ and bran part is stripped away from the all purpose flour, its shelf life is longer. Store the flour in an airtight container and in a cool, dark, and dry place. You can store the flour at room temperature in your pantry for about one year. If you choose to refrigerate or freeze it, it will go for about two years.
All-purpose flour is easily available at any grocery store, or you can buy online at
amazon.com. You can also explore other online resources for buying all-purpose flour.