Some pasta is made of maida and some is not. The front of the pack will not tell you. The ingredients list on the back will, and it takes about 30 seconds.
The three kinds of pasta you will find
1. Semolina pasta. The ingredients say "durum wheat semolina". Semolina is sooji or rava made from durum wheat. It is not maida.
2. Refined flour pasta. The ingredients say "refined wheat flour". Refined wheat flour is maida.
3. Whole wheat or millet pasta. The ingredients say "wheat flour (atta)", "whole wheat flour", or a millet flour such as foxtail millet, ragi or jowar.
How to read the label in 30 seconds
- Turn the pack over and find the word Ingredients.
- Read the first ingredient. Ingredients are meant to be listed from the largest amount to the smallest, so the first one is what the pasta is mostly made of.
- Match it to the table below.
- If the pack has "millet" in its name, look for a percentage next to the millet. A pack named after an ingredient should tell you how much of it is inside.
| The label says | It means |
|---|---|
| Refined wheat flour, Refined wheat flour (maida), Maida, All-purpose flour | Maida |
| Durum wheat semolina, Semolina, Sooji, Rava | Semolina |
| Wheat flour (atta), Whole wheat flour | Atta |
| Foxtail millet flour, Ragi flour, Jowar flour, Bajra flour | Millet flour |
Why the wording on labels changed
For years many packs said only "wheat flour", which could mean atta or maida. In 2019 the food regulator, FSSAI, told food companies to name them separately: maida as "Refined Wheat Flour (Maida)" and atta as "Wheat Flour (Atta)". So on a current pack, the words "refined wheat flour" are the ones to look for.
What about macaroni and instant pasta?
The rule is the same for every shape and every brand. Macaroni, penne, spaghetti and instant cup pasta can each be made from any of the three flours. Only the ingredients list tells you which.
Our label, read the same way
This is the ingredients list of Priyam Organics Foxtail Millet Pasta, with the amounts:
| Ingredient | Share |
|---|---|
| Whole wheat flour | 50% |
| Foxtail millet flour | 40% |
| Besan (gram flour) | 4.5% |
| Cluster bean powder | 4.5% |
| Iodised salt | a little |
There is no refined wheat flour in it. The pack also carries a seasoning mix sachet, and its ingredients are listed on the label too: mixed spices, iodised salt, unrefined cane sugar and citric acid.
See the pack: Try-Me Duo, 1 Penne + 1 Macaroni, ₹349 · What is foxtail millet pasta?
Quick answers
Is all pasta made of maida?
No. Many pastas are made from durum wheat semolina, some from refined wheat flour (maida), and some from whole wheat or millet flour.
Is semolina the same as maida?
No. Both come from wheat, but semolina is coarse and usually made from durum wheat, while maida is finely milled refined flour.
How do I know if a "millet pasta" has much millet in it?
Look for the percentage in the ingredients list. Ours says 40%.
Does "no maida" mean gluten-free?
No. Whole wheat and semolina both contain gluten. Our pasta contains wheat.