Gram Flour, Semolina & Plain Flour

Part of our Rice, Grains & Flour range. Shop besan, sooji and maida used in Indian snacks, sweets and traditional cooking. From crispy pakoras and kadhi to soft halwa, upma and naan, explore trusted brands including NATCO, FUDCO, Shankar, Jalpur, KTC, Virani, Saras, Telugu Foods and more — with reliable UK-wide delivery from Grocery Wala.

Collection Overview & Buyer Intent

Gram flour, semolina and plain flour are the most versatile flours in an Indian kitchen. Whether you're preparing everyday savoury snacks, festive sweets or bakery-style breads, choosing the right flour ensures authentic texture and flavour every time.

Best For – Quick Selection Guide

• Best for pakoras, kadhi & dhokla: Besan (Gram Flour)
• Best for halwa, upma & sheera: Sooji (Semolina)
• Best for naan, bhatura & bakery breads: Maida (Plain Flour)
• Best for Indian sweets & mithai: Sooji or Besan
• Best for idli & dosa batter: Idli Rava from Shankar or Telugu Foods

Shop by Flour Type

Besan (Gram Flour)

Gram flour made from ground chana dal — the essential flour for pakoras, kadhi, dhokla and Indian sweets. Available in fine and coarse grades from NATCO, FUDCO, Jalpur, KTC and Virani.

• Shop Besan Online UK — for pakoras, kadhi, chilla and besan ladoo

Sooji (Semolina / Rava)

Coarse-ground wheat semolina used in Indian breakfast dishes, sweets and South Indian cooking. Available in roasted, unroasted and idli rava varieties from NATCO, Shankar and Telugu Foods.

• Shop Sooji Online UK — for halwa, upma, sheera, idli and rava dosa

Maida (Plain Flour)

Refined white flour used for Indian breads, pastries and festive sweets. Available from Shankar and Saras.

• Shop Maida Online UK — for naan, bhatura, samosa and Indian sweets

Popular Dishes Made with These Flours

• Pakora & Bhajiya — made with Besan and Spices, served with Chutneys
• Kadhi — prepared with Besan and served with Rice
• Dhokla — made with Besan and Spices
• Besan Ladoo — made with Besan, Ghee and Sugar
• Halwa & Sheera — made with Sooji and Ghee
• Upma — made with Sooji and Spices & Masala
• Rava Dosa — made with Sooji and Rice Flour
• Naan & Bhatura — made with Maida and Oil or Ghee
• Samosa Pastry — made with Maida and filled with Spiced potatoes

Besan vs Sooji vs Maida – Which Should You Choose?

Choose Besan for savoury snacks and traditional Indian dishes. Choose Sooji for breakfast dishes and sweets. Choose Maida for Indian breads and bakery-style preparations.

Ideal for Everyday & Festive Cooking

Besan is used daily for snacks and cooking, while sooji and maida are especially popular during festive seasons for sweets and celebratory dishes. Pair with Sugar & Jaggery and Dry Fruits & Nuts for traditional Indian desserts.

Daily Indian Kitchen Ecosystem

These flours pair perfectly with:

• Spices & Masala
• Oil & Ghee
• Pickles & Chutneys
• Sugar & Jaggery
• Rice, Grains & Flour

How to Choose the Right Flour

• Use besan for binding batters, savoury snacks and traditional Indian sweets
• Use fine sooji for halwa and sheera — coarse sooji for upma and rava dosa
• Use idli rava (Shankar or Telugu Foods) specifically for idli and dosa batter
• Use maida for soft, pliable doughs for naan, bhatura and samosa pastry
• Store all flours in airtight containers away from moisture for best shelf life

Why Buy from Grocery Wala

• Trusted Indian grocery brands: NATCO, FUDCO, Shankar, Jalpur, KTC, Virani, Saras and Telugu Foods
• Fresh stock sourced for UK Indian and South Asian shoppers
• Available in multiple pack sizes — 500g, 1kg and 2kg
• Reliable UK-wide delivery — order online and get it delivered to your door

Frequently Asked Questions

What is besan used for?

Besan (gram flour) is used for pakoras, bhajiyas, kadhi, dhokla and Indian sweets such as besan ladoo and mysore pak. Popular brands at Grocery Wala include NATCO, FUDCO and Jalpur.

What is the difference between sooji and rava?

Sooji and rava are regional names for the same ingredient — semolina. Sooji is the North Indian term, rava is used in South India. Both are used for halwa, upma and sheera.

What is idli rava?

Idli rava is a coarser variety of semolina specifically used for making idli batter. Shankar and Telugu Foods idli rava are available at Grocery Wala.

What is the difference between sooji and maida?

Sooji is coarse-ground semolina with a grainy texture, used for upma and halwa. Maida is refined white flour with a smooth texture, used for naan, bhatura and bakery preparations.

Do you deliver gram flour and semolina across the UK?

Yes, Grocery Wala delivers besan, sooji and maida across the UK with reliable shipping. Order online for fast UK delivery.