Wheat Flour Sofiamel Type 500 1kg

Type 500 — Bulgaria’s all-purpose white flour — fine, white, and highly refined, milled by GoodMills Bulgaria EOOD at one of the largest and most modern mills on the Balkans. This is the flour that Bulgarian home cooks reach for first: banitsa, white bread, mekitsi, kozunak, and pastry all begin here.

Bulgarian flour is graded by ash content rather than by protein percentage or intended use. The “Type” number refers to the maximum ash content per 100g of dry flour multiplied by 1000: Type 500 therefore means a maximum 0.5% ash content, which translates to a fine, very white, highly refined flour closest in character to US all-purpose flour, French Type 45–55, or Italian Type 00. It is the standard starting point for the vast majority of Bulgarian home baking — versatile enough to handle everything from delicate pastry to rustic white bread, with a neutral flavor and reliable, consistent behavior in the dough.

GoodMills Bulgaria EOOD has operated a mill 2km from the center of Sofia since 1986, today running three independent milling lines with a combined capacity of 750 tons per 24 hours. Their equipment is from Swiss manufacturer Bühler — the global standard for high-precision flour milling — and the facility holds a modern quality laboratory that tests every lot for moisture, protein, wet gluten, and ash content. SofiaMel is the company’s consumer brand, positioned at the premium end of the Bulgarian flour market and trusted in Bulgarian bakeries, homes, and restaurants for decades.

How to Use It

Sofiamel Type 500 performs as a straight substitute for unbleached US all-purpose flour in any recipe. For banitsa, it produces dough with good extensibility — rolling thin without tearing — though dedicated banitsa flour with higher protein will give superior results for very thin phyllo sheets. For white bread and mekitsi (Bulgarian fried dough), Type 500 is the traditional and correct choice. For kozunak (Bulgarian sweet Easter bread), the fine grind and clean flavor are essential. As a thickening agent in sauces and soups, it disperses cleanly with no off-flavor. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light; seal the pack between uses.

What Makes It Special

GoodMills Bulgaria EOOD produces SofiaMel using wheat sourced and processed to a consistent quality standard, with laboratory verification of every batch. The Type 500 grade guarantees a fine, clean white flour with reliable baking behavior — consistent gluten development, predictable absorption, and no unexpected variation between packs. This is the flour that Bulgarian bakeries specify when consistency matters and that diaspora bakers seek when they want results that taste and behave exactly like home. Imported directly from Bulgaria to Malincho, 1kg per pack.

Quick Facts

✓  Type: White wheat flour, Type 500 (all-purpose grade)
✓  Energy: 1455 kJ / 343 kcal per 100g
✓  Net weight: 1kg
✓  Allergen: Contains gluten (wheat)
✓  US equivalent: Unbleached all-purpose flour
✓  Brand: SofiaMel
✓  Manufacturer: GoodMills Bulgaria EOOD, Sofia
✓  Country of Manufacture: Bulgaria (imported)
✓  UPC: 3800019102361
✓  SKU: SP71

Bulgarian Serving Tip

Mekitsi — Bulgarian fried dough — is the most beloved use of Type 500 flour in the Bulgarian breakfast tradition. Mix flour, a little yogurt (or water), yeast, salt, and a pinch of sugar into a soft dough, let it rest until doubled, then pull off small pieces and flatten them by hand into rough rounds. Fry in sunflower oil until golden on both sides — the dough puffs dramatically in the hot oil and collapses into an airy, chewy, lightly crisp pastry. Serve hot with Bulgarian white cheese (sirene) crumbled generously on top, or with fruit jam and powdered sugar for a sweeter breakfast. For banitsa, combine this Type 500 flour with your sirene filling and the Familia Fillo Pastry Sheets (available separately at Malincho) for a complete banitsa kit.

Pairs perfectly with: Bulgarian Sheep Sirene (SKU: C ez09), Lutenitsa (SKU: LHDER) — complete the Bulgarian breakfast table.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “Type 500” mean and how does it compare to US flour?
Bulgarian flour type numbers refer to ash content: Type 500 means a maximum of 0.5g ash per 100g of dry flour, indicating a fine, highly refined white flour. It is the closest Bulgarian equivalent to US unbleached all-purpose flour and can be substituted cup-for-cup in any recipe calling for all-purpose flour. French Type 45–55 and Italian Type 00 are similar in character.

Can I use Type 500 flour for banitsa?
Yes — Type 500 is a capable general-purpose flour for banitsa dough. SofiaMel also produces a dedicated Banitsa Flour with higher protein content, engineered specifically for the tensibility and elasticity that very thin phyllo sheets require. For everyday banitsa using store-bought fillo sheets, Type 500 is the standard flour for the filling and egg mixture.

What is GoodMills Bulgaria and is it a reputable producer?
GoodMills Bulgaria EOOD (operating under the consumer brand SofiaMel) is one of the largest mills on the Balkans. Founded in 1986 in Sofia, it operates three milling lines with 750 tons/day capacity using Swiss Bühler equipment and runs its own quality laboratory. The company is part of GoodMills Group, the largest flour milling group in Central and Eastern Europe. SofiaMel flour is a standard in Bulgarian bakeries, supermarkets, and professional kitchens.

What is the difference between Type 500 and Type 700 flour?
Type 700 has slightly higher ash content (up to 0.7%) and a marginally higher extraction rate, meaning a small amount of the outer bran layers remains in the flour. It produces a slightly creamier-colored flour with marginally more flavor and a touch more fiber than Type 500. For most home baking purposes the two are interchangeable, but Type 500 is the standard choice for fine pastry, white bread, and delicate doughs where a very clean, white result is preferred.

Is a case discount available?
Yes — a 5% discount applies automatically when buying a case of 10 units. For wholesale or bakery orders, contact Malincho at 1-866-203-3525 or [email protected].