Grains can be an important part of our diet.  Whether we use them in soups, salads, cereals or breads, the right type of grains are healthy and nutritious.

 

Ancient grains, Organic grains, Biological/Natural grains, Heirloom and Hybrid grains - and Gluten Free grains are all available, but how do we use them?  And just as important, where can we source healthy grains?

 

I'll summarize each of these below and explain a bit more why it's important to understand the difference between these types of grains.

 

Ancient Gains - Some grains, like the ancient varieties of wheat (Einkorn, Kamut®, Spelt, Emmer) are more easily digested by some who may have gluten intolerance or gluten allergies.  Gluten Free ancient grains like Quinoa, Amaranth, Flax, Millet, Sorghum, Chia, Hemp and others have high protein profiles and healthy, natural oils. 

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Varieties of ancient wheat such as Einkorn, Kamut® (khorasan wheat) and Spelt make great bread.  Whether you choose pan breads or artisan breads, these grains have great flavor and nutrition.

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The smaller, gluten-free grains are wonderful for cereals, pilafs and as additions to bread recipes.  

 

We use rolled Kamut wheat or biological/natural rolled oats to make a healthy cereal, using raw honey, cinnamon, vanilla, molasses, ground flax, sunflower seeds, golden raisins, craisins and other fun, healthy ingredients.

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Think about breads like Kamut wheat with honey and flax, Spelt and Oats, or using a blend of Einkorn and Kamut wheat for a sweet, hearty, rich tasting bread.

 

Organic Grains - are always clean, free of commercial pesticides and fertilizers and are a bit more expensive. Those who certify their crops organic command a higher price because of the state or USDA Organic label which shows the farmer has grown clean foods/grains for the consumer.

 

Biological/Natural Grains - are similar to Organic, where the farmer follows very clean, soil strengthening methods to grown clean, natural grains but doesn't certify Organic - These crops can actually be cleaner than those grown by Organic standards. Although just as clean, not certifying as Organic saves money both for the farmer and for the consumer.

 

Heirloom Grains - are early varieties of wheat and other grains that have not been hybridized over the years. Not usually categorized as ancient, these varieties of wheat like Red Fife or Sonora White were once more available and certainly more healthy than today's standard red and white wheat.  There is a movement to bring back heirloom varieties of wheat.  We'll also be looking for opportunities to hopefully carry heirloom wheat later this year.

 

Hybrid Wheat/Grains - Usually red or white wheat grown on large-scale farms - the wheat that is standard in most of our foods, added as binders and bases for packaged foods and used for most white and whole wheat breads available in stores.  This is the wheat most people feel we have problems with, where some can't digest this type of wheat well or feel that it causes other problems.  There are no controls regarding the use of pesticides, herbicides, glyphosate (Roundup), 2,4-D and other sprays used on this non-organic and non-biological type of wheat.

 

The Farmer - It all comes down to the source - how the farmer chooses to grow the crops we eat.  Clean farming creates clean, healthy crops, whether those crops are wheat, seeds, garden-type vegetables or fruit, it all starts with the farmer.

 

Khorasan Mills works with farmers who are dedicated to clean, organic/natural farming methods.  Farmers who are eager to share what they know about how they grow clean, healthy crops.

 

Grains Available - Price lists, Orders (See the Organic and Biological Grains links)

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