How to protect flour from insectsImage Credit source: Getty Images
Wheat flour is an important part of Indian kitchen. Whether you want to make roti or paratha or halwa. Wheat flour plays an important role in everyday diet. Generally, in Indian homes, roti is made twice a day. Because of this, people buy one month’s worth of flour at once. But in the changing season, insects, mites or small larvae get attached to the flour and the problem of falling begins to arise, due to which the wheat flour is forced to be thrown away. Because eating this bad flour can cause problems like stomach ache, allergy or food poisoning.
Actually, the biggest reason for insects getting into wheat flour is wrong storage and moisture. When flour is kept in a humid place or is forgotten in a closed container for a long time, the eggs of insects start growing in it. But the good thing is that by taking a little care and adopting home remedies, you can keep your flour fresh, fragrant and free from insects for months. Let us know some easy hacks to keep flour fresh for a long time.
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Keep bay leaves or neem leaves
If you want to keep the flour fresh for a long time, then add bay leaves to the container during changing weather. Apart from this, you can also keep neem leaves. Natural insect repellent properties are found in these leaves, which prevent insects and mites from growing. This method is quite effective and old.
add a few grains of salt
Salt is also the best option to store flour fresh for a long time. For this, put 1 or 2 spoons of plain salt in the flour container. Actually, salt will absorb the moisture of the flour, due to which the eggs of insects will not be able to hatch. Keep in mind that you have to put salt in a bundle or packet and mix it in the flour container.
add cloves or cardamom
The scent of cloves and cardamom also drives away insects and mites. In such a situation, to store the flour for a long time, put 4-5 clove buds or cardamom in the flour container. Due to this, insects and mites will not be able to flourish. Besides, the flour will also remain fresh and aromatic for a long time. You should definitely adopt this trick especially in summer or rainy season.
Store flour in the refrigerator
You will find this method a bit strange. But it is quite effective. If the weather is very hot or humid then instead of keeping the flour container in the kitchen, you can keep it in the refrigerator. Cold temperatures prevent insect eggs from hatching and increase the shelf life of flour. Just take out some dough as per requirement and leave the rest in the fridge.
expose the dough to sunlight or roast it
It is common for flour to become moist during changing weather. Moisture is the biggest cause of insects and mites. In such a situation, put the flour in the sun once or twice a week. This will remove moisture from the flour and increase its shelf life. If you want, you can also roast the flour. This removes moisture and almost eliminates the possibility of insects.
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