There seems to be a consensus from most dictionaries that the word semolina derives from the Italian “semola”, meaning “bran”, which in turn comes from the Latin “simila”, meaning “fine flour”. As bran and fine flour are basically opposites - do you know how this came to be? Do you know any people or resources that I could approach with this question?

Semolina
1797, alteration of It. semolino, dim. of semola “bran,” from L. simila “the finest flour,” probably from the same Semitic source as Gk. semidalis “the finest flour” (cf. Assyrian samidu, Syrian semida “fine meal”).

Looks like you’re right. This is from the online etymological dictionary. A good resource.

http://www.etymonline.com

And welcome to the forum.