The Real Story Behind Why America Damaged Their Spelt Crop Forever... (2024)

Written by 1 - November 03 2009

By: Joy Schrock, President of Berlin Natural BakeryThe Real Story Behind Why America Damaged Their Spelt Crop Forever... (2)What negatively happened to spelt here in the U.S. is a direct result of us being a nation of FIXERS.Let's make it faster and less expensive. Let's fix one problem without realizing that our fix is going to create a whole new host of problems.Our food supply has no doubt been altered to the point where it is difficult to detect and keep up with all the health issues associated from it.Today the spelt that we have come to know here in the U.S. is a poor substitute for what Mother Nature created thousands of years ago.

What Happened to our Spelt...What Went Wrong?

In order to answer that question you will first need to investigate the history of spelt here in the U.S.Spelt was brought to this country in seed form amongst our immigrants valuable possessions. It did not migrate here naturally.The farmers faced many problems when trying to grow spelt. The yields were very low in comparison to wheat. Spelt is not a free threshing grain like wheat. It requires specialized and very expensive equipment to remove its tight outer hull.The gluten in spelt is very fragile and completely unsuitable for mass production. The answer to all of these problems seemed easy to correct. Crossbreeding spelt with wheat became inevitable.

Why Did America Drop The Ball?

No one owned it, no one preserved it and no standards were in place to protect it in its original state.Here in the U.S. spelt is now a term that is very loosely used because...Most spelt products that you can purchase today aren't event pure spelt!The majority of spelt products you can purchase instead are a mixture of wheat and other grains with "some spelt thrown in." Leaving many people with wheat allergies and sensitivities with a less than favorable result.Raising the standards on our food supply is so important not just our future generations, but for us NOW. When all is said and done, it really is up to each of us as consumers.

The Real Story Behind Why America Damaged Their Spelt Crop Forever... (3)

The consumer is KING and the driving force behind every retailer and manufacturers decisions.When we finally say "enough" and insist on higher quality foods instead of savvy marketing, retailers and manufacturers will step up to the plate because their livelihood will depend on it. At Berlin Natural Bakery all of our products are made of 100% genuine German spelt.Our livelihood depends on providing you with the best tasting spelt goods, made with the highest quality standards. We believe that when you buy a spelt baked good, you should actually be able to count on the fact that it truly is made with pure spelt. Perfectly created by Mother Nature...loaded with nutrients that will feed your body what it really needs.You can find our premier spelt products by clicking the icon below!

The Real Story Behind Why America Damaged Their Spelt Crop Forever... (4)

The Real Story Behind Why America Damaged Their Spelt Crop Forever... (2024)

FAQs

Is spelt grown in the US? ›

Spelt is primarily grown in Europe, the United States and Canada for flour. The flavor and texture are similar to wheat. Bread made from 100% spelt flour has a heavier, denser texture than bread made from white or bleached wheat flour.

What is the history of spelt grain? ›

Spelt is an ancient grain which was cultivated by earlier civilizations such as Mesopotamia in the Middle East around 9000 years ago. In Britain it is first known to have existed as a main crop in 2000 BCE.

Why is spelt so expensive? ›

Secondly, Spelt has a naturally occurring tight outer hull that is really tough to remove. In fact, it requires specialized and expensive equipment to do so and most farmers just don't want to have to fight that battle.

What country uses spelt? ›

Like its sibling wheats in the farro family (einkorn and emmer), spelt is still grown in limited amounts in some regions – specifically, Germany and Switzerland. But it's spreading! Spelt was introduced into the United States in the 1890s.

Is spelt really better than wheat? ›

Spelt flour has a similar nutritional profile to common wheat. It is slightly higher in protein, but also slightly lower in insoluble fiber. Spelt is also higher in some important vitamins.

Has spelt been genetically modified? ›

One of the earliest domesticated grains, spelt hasn't changed since Biblical times. It remains unaffected by concepts such as 'agribusiness', 'cross-breeding,' 'hybridization' and 'genetically modified' – words that have come to dominate our modern food supply.

Who should not eat spelt? ›

Spelt is an ancient whole grain that can be a nutritious addition to your diet. However, it contains gluten, and is not a good option for people with gluten intolerance or a wheat allergy. It's also not clear whether there is any benefit to consuming spelt over wheat.

What are the disadvantages of spelt flour? ›

Cons of spelt:

“low” content of fibers – even though the amount of soluble fiber is the same with both versions of whole grains in spelt and wheat (and so is the glycemic index), wheat contains 15% of dietary fiber and more insoluble fibers. Spelt, for its part, contains “only” around 10% of dietary fiber.

Is spelt good for your gut? ›

Lowers blood glucose levels: The fiber content of whole-grain spelt helps reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Improves gut health: The fiber content and other nutrients in spelt can boost the amount of good bacteria in your gut, leading to a healthy digestive system and overall better immunity.

What is spelt in the Bible? ›

Spelt – Exodus 4:9

Spelt is one of the original grains known to man, it is an ancient grain. It is believed that farmers grew spelt thousands of years before Christ was born in what is now known as Iraq. It was used as a common grain during Bible times. Spelt contains gluten protein just like common wheat.

What is a good substitute for spelt grain? ›

Try Kamut as an alternative.

What is another name for spelt flour? ›

Spelt is often referred to as dinkel wheat or hulled wheat and its scientific name is Triticum spelta. Spelt and wheat have similar nutritional content and both contain gluten.

Is there a shortage of spelt flour? ›

Demand for the grain, which is grown in the UK at Doves Farm and Sharpham Park and in Ukraine and Kazakhstan, has pushed the price of spelt from £500 to £1,600 a tonne. Supplies of organic white spelt flour are hardest to come by, because 40 per cent of the grain is lost during the milling process.

What zone does spelt grow in? ›

Spelt Wheat can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b.

What is the difference between spelt and buckwheat? ›

Spelt is a triticale, a close relative of wheat. Most spelt flour you find is whole grain flour. It's high in protein -high enough in gluten that it can be used to bake bread. Buckwheat is not a grain, it's a pseudocereal, meaning its seeds resemble grains and can be used in similar ways.

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