Tipo '00' Flour in SD (San Diego, Escondido: to buy, store, Whole Foods)

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Besides Mona Lisa in Little Italy and other markets in that area, does anyone know where I can find some of this flour in the County to buy?

[tstieber]

No, I always go to the Market at Buon Apetito, also in Little Italy. Buy a couple bags at once and store airtight!

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by tstieber

No, I always go to the Market at Buon Apetito, also in Little Italy. Buy a couple bags at once and store airtight!

Thanks! I buy a few of the small bags but they go so fast

Was hoping there were other places besides Little Italy that sold it

Oh well, guess I it gives me an excuse to head down there and buy other stuff too.

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by shmoov_groovzsd

Besides Mona Lisa in Little Italy and other markets in that area, does anyone know where I can find some of this flour in the County to buy?

Don't want to appear too ignorant, but what is this flour? What makes it special? (I've never heard of it).

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by PollyGlott

Don't want to appear too ignorant, but what is this flour? What makes it special? (I've never heard of it).

Tipo "00" is flour used (mostly) in Italy for pastas and pizzas. The 00 refers to the fineness of how it is milled. In this case, tipo is extremely fine and what that does is affect how water absorbed into the flour.
When mixed with water, it is soft and doesnt stick to the hands as much and is much more plyable for thinning out for vermicelli and thinner pastas.
For pizza, there is no other flour that compares to it. When mixed with water and yeast, it has the perfect amount of gluten to rise nicely and bake perfectly, as well as stretch. Pizzas come out somewhat crispy with the right amount chewiness and are quite light....almost an airy quality.

AP (all purpose) flour which is what is mostly on the shelves here at any supermarket does what it does, which is all round baking etc. Its also great for pizzas, but has more of a heavier feel and it a bit chewier on the bite (think Doninos, Papa Johns). This has to do with, again, its fineness and gluten content.

[PollyGlott]

Well, I learned something new today!
Thanks for the explanation.

[MAK802]

The bulk section of Henry's has at least 10 different types of flour. Have you looked there?

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by MAK802

The bulk section of Henry's has at least 10 different types of flour. Have you looked there?

Those were the first places I went to. Henrys/Sprouts, Bristol Farms and Whole Foods. I thought "Whole Foods has to have it!". Nope. Total bummer. They all have a wide variety of flours for different needs but not Tipo.

Online markets and Little Italy markets so far are the only ones that carry it and more specifically Ca**** (brand) has the most consistent quality. There are substitute mixtures I have tried which are a blend of pastry flour and AP flour but its still not as good.

Thanks for the thought though!

[MovingAloha]

Originally Posted by shmoov_groovzsd

Tipo "00" is flour used (mostly) in Italy for pastas and pizzas. The 00 refers to the fineness of how it is milled. In this case, tipo is extremely fine and what that does is affect how water absorbed into the flour.
When mixed with water, it is soft and doesnt stick to the hands as much and is much more plyable for thinning out for vermicelli and thinner pastas.
For pizza, there is no other flour that compares to it. When mixed with water and yeast, it has the perfect amount of gluten to rise nicely and bake perfectly, as well as stretch. Pizzas come out somewhat crispy with the right amount chewiness and are quite light....almost an airy quality.

AP (all purpose) flour which is what is mostly on the shelves here at any supermarket does what it does, which is all round baking etc. Its also great for pizzas, but has more of a heavier feel and it a bit chewier on the bite (think Doninos, Papa Johns). This has to do with, again, its fineness and gluten content.

Wow, i'm hungry now ; plus I learned something new! Mahalo

[Jenkay]

Might want to post this question on the Chow San Diego board, I'm certain you'll get an answer there.

Off the top of my head though, the only place I can think of that might carry it besides the places you mentioned might be Major Market in Escondido.