What is gluten, and how does it work? Find out in this flour-powered activity.
Use masking tape and marker to label 1 small bowl “Wheat Flour” and second small bowl “Rice Flour.”
In bowl labeled “Wheat Flour,” use spoon to stir and press together all-purpose flour and 5 teaspoons water until shaggy dough forms, about 1 minute.
Sprinkle counter with extra all-purpose flour. Transfer dough to counter. Use your hands to gather dough into loose ball and knead dough until smooth, 3 to 4 minutes. Shape dough into ball and wrap with plastic wrap. Return wrapped dough to bowl labeled “Wheat Flour.”
Repeat steps 2 and 3 with rice flour and water in bowl labeled “Rice Flour.” Let both doughs rest for 10 minutes.
Make a prediction: Do you think the wheat flour dough and the rice flour dough will behave the same or differently when you try to pull them apart? Why?