All-purpose flour is a blend of hard and soft wheat flours, which gives it a neutral protein content. This makes it perfect for a wide range of recipes, as it provides structure without being too dense or too delicate. Think of it like a Swiss Army knife - it's got a little bit of everything, but doesn't specialize in anything.
Now, let's talk about self-rising flour - it's like the lazy Sunday of flours. It's already got baking powder and salt mixed in, so you don't need to add anything extra to your recipe. But, is that really a good thing?