What is the process of cleaning wheat grains before milling called?

The process of cleaning wheat grains before milling is most accurately described as purification. This step is crucial in removing impurities such as dirt, stones, and other foreign materials that can be present in the harvested wheat. Purification ensures that the quality of the flour produced is high and that the milling process runs smoothly without any contamination or damage to the milling equipment.

During purification, various methods such as air aspiration, screening, and washing may be employed to achieve a clean product. This step is fundamental because any impurities can not only affect the nutritional quality of the flour but also its safety and baking properties. Clean grains contribute to better yields and a more uniform end product, which is essential in food preparation and production.

The other terms, while related to different aspects of grain handling and production, do not specifically refer to the cleaning process: refining usually refers to the overall improvement of grain quality, processing encompasses the entire chain from harvesting to final product, and sorting involves categorizing based on size, shape, or other attributes but does not specifically focus on cleaning.