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Buckwheat groats
Despite the name, buckwheat is not a form of wheat. It is, in fact, a relative of the rhubarb and dockweed. It is gluten free but care needs to be taken with manufactured foods as it is often mixed with wheat flour.
The plants thrive in poor conditions and have a short growing period taking only 11 to 12 weeks to mature. Whilst in flower the plants are a magnet for honey bees. The buckwheat honey Fresh seeds can be sprouted like alfalfa or mung beans. Buckwheat GroatsThe triangular shaped seeds are used worldwide in many forms.The hulled seeds are known as buckwheat groats and vary in colour from pale tan to green. They are available in four forms: whole, coarse, medium or fine. Roasted, the groats are known as kasha, a type of buckwheat porridge which has long been a part of Eastern European and Russian cookery. It can be sweet or savoury, served at any meal as either an accompaniment or the main course, not just limited to breakfast. Many other ingredients can be added to the basic porridge to ring the changes, such as my favourite at the bottom of this page.
The discarded hulls can be used to fill pillows that are used for the relief of headaches, neck pain, sleeplessness and snoring. Buckwheat FlourThe buckwheat seeds can be ground into a greyish/brown flour which can be used in normal and gluten free cooking. It is used around the world in traditional buckwheat recipes.In Russia, the flour is traditionally used to create blinis, a form of yeasted pancake. Again these can be served as a sweet or savoury meal. Often they are served with caviar or smoked salmon and sour cream. Butter, jam, honey or syrup spread on a toasted blini makes a wonderful breakfast. In Japan, Soba noodles are popular served either hot in broth or cold with a dip. They are also used in stir fries and salads. It is possible to find gluten free soba noodles but often the recipes include wheat flour, so beware! In Italy buckwheat pasta is cut like fettuccine and coated in sugar, butter and raising as a dessert. Be aware that the pasta also contains wheat flour making it unsuitable for coeliacs. Nutritional qualitiesBuckwheat is a highly nutritious foodstuff. It contains all eight essential amino acids making it a complete vegetable protein source. It is rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium and B vitamins.A report in Science Daily claims buckwheat seeds can be beneficial in the management of diabetes. The seeds contain Rutin which is useful in lowering blood cholesterol significantly, soaking up the excess and preventing it being absorbed into the small intestine. Its low glycemic index and high fibre levels make buckwheat groats one of the worlds healthiest foods. Buckwheat PorridgeServes 2-4This is my favourite way of making buckwheat porridge for breakfast.
Ingredients for Buckwheat porridge
MethodPlace the groats, sugar and dried fruit in a saucepan. Pour over the milk or milk substitute and bring the pan to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer gently for 20 minutes.I also like to sprinkle some seeds, such as hemp or pumpkin, on top before I serve this. It makes a wonderful warming gluten free breakfast for those cold winter mornings.
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Delicious Gluten-Free Baking with Buckwheat Flour ArrowrootGreat as a thickener for soups and sauces.
Amaranthhave you tried this extremely nutritious grain?
QuinoaLike buckwheat, this seed is considered a "superfood".
Gluten free food listEverything on this list is safe to eat
Gluten free flourWhich gluten free flours have you tried?
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Therefore no information on this site should be taken as medical advice. Return to top of buckwheat groats Return to gluten free grains Return to Home Page |
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produced is darker than the more common clover honey.
