Description

Buckwheat is a plant crop and is cultivated mainly for its grains. It is usually grown over the summer months and the plant is harvested when they are around two to four feet in height. The plants take around two months to mature and once they are, they are stacked to dry. The dried plants are threshed and the hard outer shell is removed. The remaining grains are then dried completely so that they don't go rancid. They are then ground along with the outer bran which is high in fiber and other nutrients. The bran turns the resulting buckwheat flour into rich brown coloured flour, with dark flecks.

How to select

Buckwheat flour is finely powdered flour, has a brown colour with dark flecks. Ensure that you check the manufacturing date, expiry date and packaging before purchasing.

Culinary Uses

· Use buckwheat flour to make pancakes which go very well as a breakfast dish. In Russia, buckwheat flour is used to make Blinis, pancakes which are a classic accompaniment to caviar.
· Use to make nutritious dhoklas (steamed savoury), chilas (thin crepes), etc.
· Combine with other flours to make waffle batter, pancake batters etc.
· Combine buckwheat flour with whole wheat flour to make delicious breads, muffins and pancakes. Ensure that the quantity of buckwheat flour is lesser than whole wheat flour since it doesn't contain any gluten.
· In Japan, buckwheat flour is used to make traditional buckwheat soba noodles.

How to store

Buckwheat has a high fat content, and therefore requires special handling because it can go rancid. Buckwheat flour should be always stored in the refrigerator. If stored properly, the flour will keep fresh for several months.

Health Benefits

· Buckwheat is a very good source of iron and calcium and a good source of magnesium and dietary fiber. Thus, it is recommended for people with high cholesterol levels.
· Buckwheat contains two flavonoids with significant health-promoting actions: rutin and quercitin.
· The protein in buckwheat is a high quality protein, containing all eight essential amino acids, including lysine.
· Inclusion of buckwheat flour will also make a dish more nutritious, since buckwheat is high in niacin and vitamin B, among other things.