Why Southerners Love White Lily Flour

It's probably the not-so-secret ingredient in your grandmother's famous biscuits.

Do you ever wonder why biscuits taste so much better in the South? Not only are they filled with more love and butter (or shortening), but more often than not, they're also made with White Lily flour. While there are plenty of flour varieties to choose from, White Lily reigns above all else for Southern bakers and is the crème de la crème when it comes to the flour we use for any biscuit recipe. 

White Lily, founded in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1883, is a distinctly Southern brand that has been a staple for both professional bakers and home cooks. Step into any grocery store across the South, and you'll likely find the iconic, extra-tall (because the flour weighs less per cup) white bags on the baking aisle. In 2007, when the brand's flour production moved up North, an uproar emerged among Southern bakers so much that The New York Times covered the change.

What's So Special About White Lily Flour?

Unlike other flours, White Lily is milled from the purest part of 100 percent soft red winter wheat, once grown primarily in Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas, and has a lower protein and gluten content. While some brands have 11.7 percent protein, White Lily has 9 percent, meaning less gluten forms when the flour interacts with liquid. Typically when baking sourdough or French baguettes, you'll want a higher-protein flour, but when making delicate pastries (especially pillowy biscuits and flaky pie crusts), a low-protein, low-gluten flour results in a lighter, fluffier baked good with a greater rise. White Lily is also more finely sifted than other flours—its packaging even advertises it as "pre-sifted."

If you start asking around, any Southern chef, Southern Living Test Kitchen pro, or biscuit-making family member will swear by White Lily flour. Generations of bakers have claimed it as the secret to the perfect, flaky biscuit. Still not convinced? Check out the brand's community Facebook group, supported by 237.9K avid White Lily fans and bakers.

As an avid baker myself, I always keep my pantry stocked with a bag or two of White Lily. My go-to picks are the Enriched Bleached All-Purpose Flour and Enriched Bleached Self-Rising Flour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use White Lily flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes. You can substitute White Lily Traditional All-Purpose Flour for other all-purpose flours, but the lighter texture requires you to use more in the recipe. According to the website, every cup of all-purpose flour requires one cup and two tablespoons of White Lily Traditional All-Purpose Flour.

What is soft wheat flour?

Soft wheat flour has a low protein and gluten content. According to the website, soft wheat flour is made from soft winter wheat to make cakes, biscuits, cookies, pie crusts, muffins, and quickbreads. This flour is very versatile and creates a light-textured, fluffy baked good.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.