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6 Min
03/12/2025
Seasoned home cooks know and can feel the difference between an average atta and a great one, but may not know what truly signals quality. This guide breaks down the exact markers – colour, texture, aroma, absorption, and dough behaviour, which determine how your roti turns out. Whether you want softer rotis or more consistent results, here’s a simple way to judge atta quality at a glance, and know how brands like Aashirvaad maintain hygiene and consistency.
The difference between soft, pliable rotis and ones that turn stiff within minutes comes down to one factor: the quality of your atta. There are a couple of factors that drive the quality, and it all starts at the source. The area, the farmers, and the way the entire atta is made all collectively impact the quality. So, getting a better understanding of how wheat sourcing and milling affect your rotis will help you make better choices for your daily meals.
Wheat flour varies significantly based on the wheat variety used and how it's processed. These factors directly impact roti texture, taste, and shelf life. A lot also depends on the ratio of the protein and fibre, the way the atta smells, the colour and the feeling—all add up to making it a quality atta.
Quality atta starts with the right wheat. Aashirvaad Select Atta uses sharbati wheat from the finest regions in Madhya Pradesh, a variety known for producing soft, flavourful rotis. The wheat has a golden sheen and is known for its uniformly-sized grains. Aashirvaad Whole Wheat Atta is made from heavy grains, golden amber in colour, and stiff; characteristics that indicate better dough texture. ITC sources wheat through its e-Choupal network, which reaches out to over 4 million farmers growing a range of crops – soyabean, coffee, wheat, rice, pulses, and more.
The grinding method significantly affects flour quality. Traditional chakki (stone mill) grinding differs fundamentally from industrial roller milling. Chakki atta is finely milled in a process that heats the starch, breaking it into smaller chains and adding a slight sweetness. The process also damages some gluten-forming proteins, which prevents tough rotis while maintaining workability. Aashirvaad uses modern chakki grinding that ensures the atta contains 0% maida and is 100% whole wheat. This preserves the complete grain's nutritional value.
With a market share of 28% and turnover of ₹4,200 crore in 2018, Aashirvaad leads India's packaged atta market. The brand's 4-Step Advantage process includes:
Sourcing: Direct procurement through e-Choupal ensures grain quality from the start
Cleaning: Triple cleaning removes impurities that affect texture and taste
Grinding: Chakki grinding preserves nutrients while achieving a fine texture
Nutrition Lockage: Protected packaging keeps nutrients intact and maintains field freshness
Like any other ingredient, the base is a major factor that will affect the final product. This applies to rotis, as well, as the wheat quality will inadvertently affect roti texture. The roti quality also relies a lot on the wheat’s protein content, damaged starch, and its ability to absorb moisture.
Quality wheat with 10-12% protein content develops proper gluten networks when kneaded. So, do your research before picking up the perfect product. A well-developed gluten network is what allows the rotis to be rolled thin without tearing and also makes them puff during cooking. The dough made from Aashirvaad Atta absorbs more water, so rotis stay softer longer.
When rotis puff on the flame, steam gets trapped between layers, cooking them quickly from the inside. This rapid cooking preserves moisture and creates softer rotis. Quality atta with fine, uniform texture creates better conditions for consistent puffing. Fine chakki milling produces evenly distributed particles that form superior steam pockets.
The better the atta, the better the rotis, and a lot boils down to the milling process and the gluten network developed when the atta is kneaded.
The OG method used a ‘chakki’ or a stone grinder to pulverise the dry wheat grains. This tends to bring out the wheat's natural sweetness. This grinding process still exists, but it has widely become mechanised to ensure consistent results, save time and maintain hygiene. Aashirvaad Superior MP Atta delivers a characteristic wholesome flavour with a hint of nuttiness.
Aashirvaad Whole Wheat Atta provides high fibre content that promotes digestion, maintains gut health, and provides lasting satiety. Whole wheat atta is prized for its dietary fibre, which is important for good digestive health. Then there are vitamins like vitamin B that boost energy, iron, magnesium and protein, which are essential for muscle and overall wellness. Aashirvaad's high-protein variant contains 10% soya, Bengal gram, and oats, delivering approximately 15g of protein per 100g.
High-quality atta shows in its appearance and performance: it has a golden-amber to pale brown colour, a fine, smooth texture, and a mild, sweet wheat aroma. It absorbs more water, forms a smooth, pliable dough without excess stickiness, and produces rotis that stay soft for hours. Aashirvaad’s fully mechanised, hands-free packaging maintains consistent hygiene and ensures uniform quality in every batch.
It is quite deep, and not just surface level, as whole-wheat flour is more than what meets the eye. The flour, even in its powder form, has the wheat germ, which has natural oils in it that can go rancid if exposed to heat, air, or moisture. Top-notch brands know this well, so that’s why they use airtight, advanced packaging. But this is exactly like your ground masala and a pack of chips. Once you open it, don’t slack. Transfer it to a well-sealed container, and keep it in a cool, dry place to preserve freshness, aroma, and nutrition. Poorly stored atta can lead to bland, less elastic rotis.
Brands like Aashirvaad don’t just mill wheat, they control the entire chain: from sourcing and rigorous cleaning to nutrient-lock packaging. The result? Flour that makes your dough pliable, your rotis softer, and your meals more satisfying. Good atta isn’t just about roti, it’s about consistent texture, better flavour, and a more reliable cooking experience.
The difference between mediocre and exceptional rotis starts with the choice of atta. For a staple consumed daily by millions of Indian families, the quality of the whole wheat matters. To get soft, flavourful, and nutritious rotis, begin with atta and do your research that gives you quality assurance – exactly what Aashirvaad delivers through its proven process.
