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But a grain revolution is mobilizing, and heirloom and perennial grains are leading the charge.
These grains are not only super nutritious, but they are also sustainability champions in their own right.
registered dietitian
Learn about what these grains are, what benefits they offer, and where you might find them here.
Experts in This Article
registered dietitian
What are heirloom and perennial grains?
Perennial grains are pretty straightforward to define.
Perennial plants, including grains, mean that they regrow year after year without needing to be replanted.
Heirloom grains, on the other hand, have varying definitions depending on who you ask.
Some equate them to ancient grains, while others feel theres a distinct difference.
These grains will also be grown using the same centuries-old techniques.
Some examples includefarro,triticale,einkorn wheat, andkamut or Khorasan wheat.
Many ancient grains will also heirloom grains but ultimately, theres no official definition of these terms.
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The Green Revolution was a time when grain production skyrocketed and farmers started to engage in selective breeding.
This would yield more harvestable grain, perfect for its future in subsidized commodity crop farming.
Theyll also deliver serious amounts offiber,protein,omega-3 fatty acids, andplant compounds.
Refined wheat flour, for example, has the outer two layers of the grain removed.
This process yields a shelf stable product, but offers very little nutrition.
Yes, you read that right, freshly milled whole wheat flour is NOT shelf stable.
This allows them to extract more nutrients from the soil, creating a healthier final product.
Organic matter in soil directly influences its productivity and ability to absorb and store carbon dioxide.
Fun fact:Soil is one the major carbon sinks on our precious Mother Earth.
This is an obvious problem when looking at theclimate issuesthat we face as a global community.
But heres where perennial and heirloom grains present an exciting opportunity.
These deep root systems equate to increased drought resistance as they can find water deeper in the ground.
Some common types include farro, spelt, sorghum, amaranth, millet, and quinoa.
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