Dorothy FarrarGreen spelled
If the spelled is harvested before it is fully ripe, the harvested product is called unripe spelt . Before consumption, the harvested kernels are dried and then boiled in water. The grain is characterized by a high proportion of protein .
This is what you should know about Grünkern
The reason for harvesting semi-ripe spelled grains used to be the risk that bad weather would make it impossible to harvest ripe spelled, as the harvested product would spoil due to wet weather.
Today there is less fear of bad harvests, but the tradition of harvesting unripe spelled grains has remained. This certainly has something to do with the good taste of the “Baden rice”, as the spelled grains are also called: the nutty consistency of the grains makes it possible to prepare vegetarian meatballs or a vegetarian Bolognese, for example.
After harvesting, the green kernels are dried in a so-called “green kernel kiln”. The grains should retain their greenish color; roasting of the kernels is not the aim of this process, since it affects the taste of the grain. Grünkern has been part of people’s menus since the Middle Ages.
Today green spelt is also used in industry, for example as a component of instant soups. While green spelled grain can generally be harvested where spelled grows, the term “Franconian green grain” is legally protected: only green spelled grain that comes from the building land – a region in northern Baden – may be called that.
importance to health
Green spelt is considered a very digestible grain. In addition, spelled is so durable that no pesticides are required when growing unripe spelt. This makes the food a healthy product. Due to the early harvest, less starch develops in the cereal grains than in spelt or the closely related wheat .
This is expressed in a lower nutritional value: unripe spelt has fewer carbohydrates than many other grains, but still has a large proportion of dietary fiber . Thus, the product contributes to long saturation without adding a lot of calories to the body . This also makes green spelled interesting in the course of a change in diet.
Ingredients & nutritional values
100 grams of dry unripe spelt have just 324 calories, which is less than rice or pasta, for example. The unripe spelled contains a lot of vitamins in particular, but also trace elements such as magnesium and phosphorus . Since the food also contains quite a lot of iron, the product is also suitable for replenishing empty iron stores, which many women or vegetarians and vegans regularly have. This is also matched by the high proportion of protein that the green grain brings with it. Especially with a purely plant-based diet, it is difficult to find sources of protein: with unripe spelt, there is another tasty and healthy alternative to meat.
intolerances
Green spelled is considered very digestible, even with a sensitive stomach. However, anyone who suffers from gluten intolerance must avoid unripe spelt – just like spelled, the grain contains gluten.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Green spelt is commercially available in various forms, especially in health food stores or organic supermarkets: as flour, but also as grist or as whole grains. To prepare these, they should be soaked in cold water overnight; so prepared, they should be cooked about 15 minutes. If the grains are not soaked for a long time, the cooking time can be up to 45 minutes.
Anyone who decides to buy unripe spelled flour can use it as a healthier substitute for wheat flour – for both savory and sweet products. With a coffee grinder, grains can also be processed into flour at home. This has several advantages: On the one hand, the vitamins and the aroma are best retained in the grains – the taste is best if the grains are ground just before preparation. In addition, unground grains last longer than flour.
preparation tips
Green spelled grain can be used in many different ways and is particularly popular with vegetarians. After all, the protein-rich grain can serve as a meat substitute by making a minced meat substitute or patties. The preparation of unripe spelt as an ingredient in soups or stews also enables a wide variety of recipes.
Green spelt is also a low-calorie alternative to rice , noodles or potatoes as a conventional accompaniment to a meal. Ready-made green spelt mixtures are also commercially available, with which already seasoned dishes based on green spelled can be prepared.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.