Unlike diets heavy in processed grains, diets rich in organic, unprocessed ancient grains have many health benefits. This includes better blood sugar levels, better heart health, and a reduction of inflammation. This is because ancient grains are richer in nutrients, compared to modern, processed, GMO grains. They’re also richer in flavor.
A grain is considered ancient if it has been minimally changed over the centuries by selective breeding or genetic manipulation. These grains are as close to the wild cereal grasses grown by the earliest farmers. Before farming became common, hunter-gatherers also collected and used these cereal grains as food.
Ancient varieties of wheat include spelt, einkorn, durum, and emmer wheat, which work just as well as modern wheat in recipes. You can use these ancient varieties of wheat to bake fluffy bread and delicious baked goods, as well as homemade pasta. However, these ancient varieties of wheat are not gluten-free, and should not be consumed by anyone with celiac or gluten intolerance.
Ancient varieties of wheat are not the only ancient varieties of grain available. You can also find heritage varieties of corn, oats, and buckwheat, all of which are considered gluten-free. Other ancient, gluten-free grains include teff, quinoa, and sorghum. While not all of these grains can be baked into sandwich bread, they can be made into tortillas and other types of flatbreads. They can also be cooked into porridge or as a rice substitute.
Contact Janie’s Mill for delicious, organic, whole, and milled ancient and heirloom grains. Visit JaniesMill.com for more information!