chapati ok, but what's a roti?

Zziggi

I'm extending my culniary skills from just rice with a curry to also doing a range of naan breads, pitta breads and chapatis now (naan bread & pitta bread recipes from the BM booklet, chapati receipe from the "downsizer" website that is often linked)

But what is the difference between chapatis and rotis? I understand they are made in a similar way (or is it the same way?). Is just a different type of flour used? If so what's the different flours? What does roti taste of?

I just usually pick up 'chapati flour' when i go to the big asian supermarkets but i've never seen anything labelled up as 'roti flour'.

oh_heck

found this ,hope it helps

http://ethnonet.gold.ac.uk/illustrations/ch4illustrations/411arupa/rotirecipe.htm
and this


http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/ejones/ufdi/dobat.html#rotchap


there doesn't seem much differance between the two except one is fried

stx

They are both the same thing, just another word. Roti can be used to describe other type of breads but it isin't usually.

devilgirls1

like STX says roti and chappati's are exactly the same, Roti is normally used by muslims, indians, bengalis etc, its thier name for chappatis

sovereign

They are both the same thing. No difference. I think the chappati came when the UK indian cuisine started. In the indian sub continent they refer to most thin breads as roti.

elaine373

It is the same thing,its the urdu word for chapati.

cheapsally

Roti and chappati is same thing, just called by different names depending on the different regions of Pakistan,India and bangladesh.

Zziggi

thanks everyone. I thought they were made from different flour? one is chickpea flour but i'm not sure about the other.. if it is the same thing then i guess it's chickpea flour too!

bigmuffins

roti is the generic coverall - can have different shapes/flours but still called roti!
eg roomali roti - v thin and large (trans: handkerchief roti)
besan ki roti - made with chickpea (gram) flour
plain roti usually called chapatti - made with wholemeal flour
paratha - crisp, flaky, layered made with ghee/butter/oil
Many ways of making but all are rotis!
Same thing is known by different names depending on area eg north/mid/south/east regions of india subcontinent. Also religion

Clear as mud?!!

Zziggi

Thanks Bigmuffin.

I usually buy bags of East End 'Chapati flour'. But i suppose i could buy just normal flour? or use gram flour?
And if i can use just normal flour (plain flour not S.R.?) then what exactly is in ''chapati flour'' that's extra and warrants me buying that?

I read in a book that chapati = atta flour (chickpea flour?) and roti is corn flour - is this right?