Atta
Atta, also called chakki atta, is whole wheat flour milled from the whole grain.1,2 It is the flour for chapati, a staple food in Asia.2,3
Also known as Aata, Chakki Atta, Whole wheat flour
Atta is whole wheat flour, the flour for chapati.1,2,3,4 The whole grain is milled; in maida, India's refined flour, the bran and germ are removed.1 According to a study by India's food research institute CFTRI, atta ground in a chakki, a disc mill, contains more protein than roller-milled atta, and chapatis made from it taste better.2
How is atta different from flour?
Atta is milled from the whole wheat grain, bran and germ included. Refined flour, called maida in India, has the bran and germ removed.1
What is atta in English called?
Whole wheat flour, milled from the entire grain. The pack of Aashirvaad atta lists 100 % whole wheat flour as its only ingredient.1,5
Recipes with Atta
Related products in our shop
AashirvaadAashirvaad Wholemeal Wheat Flour (Atta)€12.49 · 5 kg · €2.50 per kg
AashirvaadAashirvaad Wheat Flour with Millets (Atta with Millets)€6.99 · 2.2 kg · €3.18 per kg
AnnamAnnam Stone-Milled Wholemeal Wheat Flour (Chakki Atta)€19.99 · 10 kg · €2.00 per kg
PillsburyPillsbury Stone-Milled Wholemeal Wheat Flour (Chakki Fresh Atta)€13.99 · 5 kg · €2.80 per kg
HeerHeer Stone-Milled Wholemeal Wheat Flour (Chakki Atta)€19.99 · 10 kg · €2.00 per kg
HeeraHeera Corn Flour (Desi Makki Atta)€5.49 · 1 kg · €5.49 per kg
All prices incl. VAT, plus €4.90 shipping, free for orders from €49.00.
Sources
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. (2025). Chapter 2: Food Product Standards, 2.4 Cereals and Cereal Products.
- Haridas Rao, P., Leelavathi, K., & Shurpalekar, S. R. (1983). Comparative studies on atta (whole wheat flour) and resultant atta, a by-product of roller flour milling industry. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 20(1), 5–8.
- Panghal, A., Khatkar, B. S., Yadav, D. N., & Chhikara, N. (2019). Effect of finger millet on nutritional, rheological, and pasting profile of whole wheat flat bread (chapatti). Cereal Chemistry, 96, 86–94. DOI: 10.1002/cche.10111
- Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). atta. In Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
- Indian Culture: Aashirvaad Whole Wheat Flour (Atta): ingredient list on the pack.
Cite this entry
MLA
“Atta.” Indian Culture Glossary, Indian Culture, https://www.indian-culture.de/en/glossar/atta.
Chicago
Indian Culture Glossary, s.v. “Atta,” https://www.indian-culture.de/en/glossar/atta.
APA
Indian Culture. (n.d.). Atta. In Indian Culture glossary. https://www.indian-culture.de/en/glossar/atta