Wheat Grain Advice & Guide

With an array of home grain mills available, milling your own flour from home is now easy. Get a grip on your grains with these helpful tips.

Contents:

What’s a wholegrain
Storing Grain
Freezing Grain
Parts of a grain berry
Home milling grain health benefits
Switching to a 100% wholegrain diet

What’s meant by the term wholegrain?

Wholegrain refers to a complete grain that consists of all parts.

All too often, industrial grains are filtered to prolong their shelf life. Husk and germ will be removed to ensure flour stays fresh for longer. However, these lost parts are rich in nutrients. With home milling, you can now retain these healthy nutrients because your flour’s ground just when you want it.

Storing Grains

To best preserve the freshness of your wheat grains, keep them away from heat, moisture and air. Store grains in an airtight container of your choice.

Shelf Life

Wheat grains will generally keep for up to 6-12 months. Unlike flour, the bran layer helps to protect the inner.

Can you freeze the grains?

Yes, you can freeze the grains to prolong their shelf life.

Anatomy of a grain

A number of key parts create the make up of a grain berry.

Brush
Bran
Aleurone
Endosperm
Germ
Scutellum
Plumule
Radicle

Bran

Bran is the hard casing or outer layer of a wheat grain. It’s very high in fiber and fatty acids. Additionally, it contains protein, starch, vitamins and minerals.

Germ

The germ consists of 3 parts; Scutellum, Plumule and Radicle. It’s purpose is to help the wheat kernel reproduce.

Plumule

The Plumule is the main bud or shoot for a wheat grain. The purpose of the plumule is to provide food (through photosynthesis) and aid in the development of the shoot system.

Is home milling flour healthier for me than shop bought flour?

Milling wholegrain flour at home is indeed very healthy for you. The bran is packed full of nutrients that are usually lost in white processed flour.

Whole-grains are proven to support your gut health and reduce inflammation. Additionally, they’re high in fibre and encourage the faster passage of harmful agents through your bowel. Bowel cancer is the third most commonly occurring cancer. Increasing higher fibre into your diet is known to reduce the risk.

Should I eat 100% wholegrain all the time?

Eating 100% wholegrain foods has endless benefits and advantages. However, if you’re switching from a diet rich in refined carbs, it would be best to increase the ratio in favour of whole-grains gradually. This will put less stress on both your taste buds and gut. Both of which have been conditioned for refined carbs.

Buy some flour grain to mill

Select options Quick View
Organic Wholemeal Wheat Grain – Gilchesters
- Organic
£1.95
UK-grown wholemeal wheat grain from Gilchesters. The organic grain is ideal for milling flour to bake bread with. Discover unrivaled freshness now.

Use in common bread baking.

Organically grown and additive-free.

Grown in Northumberland, UK.

The grain is organic and may contain traces of other seeds.
Select options
Select options Quick View
Organic Wholemeal Spelt Grain – Gilchesters
£3.20
Rated 5.00 out of 5
A UK produced spelt grain from Gilchesters. This organic spelt grain is suitable for home milling. Use as a wheat replacement or in combination with other wheat varieties. Packed full of fiber, protein, zinc and B vitamins.

Spelt is generally light and mild in taste.

Can improve and aid digestion.

Spelt is an ancient heritage grain.

for use in bread, risotto, pastries and cookies.

High mineral content.

No additives.

The grain is organic and may contain traces of other seeds.
Select options
Select options Quick View
Organic Rye Grain – Gilchesters
£2.25
A superb UK-grown rye grain from Gilchesters. The organic rye grain packs huge flavour that does not disappoint. Expand your taste depth, mill great flour and enhance common bakes.

Use to build nutty, sweet and malty flavour in your baking.

Balance with other common wheat grains for a better crumb.

Rye is a heritage grain for use in bread, pastries and cookies.

Low gluten content.

The grain is organic and may contain traces of other seeds.
Select options
Out of Stock
Select options Quick View
Organic Emmer Grain – Gilchesters
- Organic
£3.99
UK-grown wholemeal Emmer grain from Gilchesters. The organic and ancient grain is ideal for milling Emmer flour.

Use in common bread baking.

Organically grown and additive free.

Grown in Northumberland, UK.

The grain is organic and may contain traces of other seeds.
Select options