The type of flour commonly used to make pancakes varies depending on the region and the specific recipe. In North America and many Western countries, all-purpose flour is typically used to make pancakes. All-purpose flour is versatile and readily available, making it a popular choice for many baking and cooking applications, including pancakes.
In some other parts of the world, different types of flours might be used to make pancakes. For example:
In the United Kingdom, pancakes are often made with plain flour (similar to all-purpose flour) or sometimes self-raising flour.
In France, they use wheat flour to make thin and delicate crepes, which are a type of pancake.
In India, a type of pancake called "dosa" is made using a batter primarily composed of rice and urad dal (black gram).
Regarding maida, it is a type of wheat flour that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. Maida is similar to all-purpose flour but is more finely ground and has a lower protein content. While it is not typically used for making traditional Western-style pancakes, it may be used in some Indian pancake recipes or other dishes that resemble pancakes in appearance.
In summary, the type of flour used for making pancakes can vary depending on the region and cultural preferences. For traditional American-style pancakes, all-purpose flour is the standard choice, while other regions may use different types of flour for their unique pancake recipes. Maida, while not commonly used for Western-style pancakes, may be used in other pancake variations or Indian recipes.