Also 12 May 2014 – So what’s the buzz about Spelt?

 

I think if you knew the benefits of Spelt bread you’d be buzzing too. I love baking breads and rolls and pastries. From floor rolls to brioche; from raisin loaf to health loaves. A friend brought me a few slices once and it was great, soft yet not crumbly with a distinct nutty flavour.  We had the slices with soft butter and melon preserve. I tried my best to be the good hostess and not devour them all.

I make effort to produce and eat wholesome foods for the benefit of everyone. So today I thought to chat a bit about Spelt bread and then to bake some and see how my family likes it. We all eat far too much refined foods that fills the stomach but with very little nutrition. Most of the time with our busy schedules and tight budgets we don’t have much options. Making and baking oneself is a way of addressing it and it’s so enjoyable if that’s your thing.

So about Spelt - If you google it there are lots of information, here are some of things I find particularly interesting.  Spelt has been around for about 9000 years already. By the end of the 19^th century it fell out of favour because of the advances in farming technology. See, the grain is a member of the wheat grain but is an entirely different species.  It’s found to be tolerated easier by people with gluten sensitivities all over the world because it is a whole-food. The vital substances of Spelt are found in the inner kernel of the grain while wheat has all of its nutrients stripped during the milling process.

Spelt is absorbed into the body quickly and contains more protein and fibre and (I love this part) it has large quantities of Vitamin B17 which contains anti carcinogens. And that’s not all it assists the body with blood clotting function and stimulates our immune systems.

This is a list of benefits:

• Reducing joint inflammation
• Preventing hair, skin and nail disorders
• Lowering cholesterol
• Reducing liver fat
• Protecting kidneys
• Reducing bladder irritation
• Relaxation
• Stress and depression reduction
• Relieving migraine headaches
• Assisting the immune system
• Reducing the risk of artery and heart spasms
• Calcium absorption
• Collagen formation
• Antibody, hormone and enzyme production
• Transmission of signals between the nerve cells and the brain
• Maintaining alertness
• Memory improvement
• Digestive and intestinal tract functioning
• Muscle coordination
• Mental vigour

As Spelt is a low yielding crop, it does not strip the soil as much as current crops and it flourishes on deprived soils. Its thick husk makes it resilient to extreme climatic conditions as well as pollutants and insects even radio activity.  So it’s pure and original and not genetically modified and is stored with its shell, remaining fresher over longer periods than other grains. Got to get me some flour and can’t wait to bake with it. It’s not just used for baking breads but apparently also to make croissants. Picture it with a medley of jams, some brie a warm cup of tea or coffee and a book.

Sites I find interesting the Reestablishing the Food Connection and Stir the pots.

Chat later

Grow food and bake your own bread
Yasmine