Did you know that green spelt is healthy and should be on your plate regularly? Here's what you need to know about the grain!
Green spelt means nothing to you yet? No wonder, because the grain was long removed from the menus.
It's time to take a closer look at the "green gold", because green spelt is really healthy and delicious!
Superfoods are on everyone's lips right now. Whether quinoa, Chia seeds* or acai berries - these power foods have been finding their way into many bowls and smoothies in recent months.
But superfoods don't always have to come from exotic countries or have a name that is at least as exotic.
You can find the ancient grain green spelt on your doorstep. Why green spelt is healthy, what vitamins and minerals it contains and what exactly the ancient grain can do - that's what you'll read in this article.
Table of contents
What is green spelt?
The discovery of green spelt dates back many hundreds of years. In the 17th century, spelt was harvested too early due to a famine. The spelt had been regularly lost in previous years due to storms and heavy rain.
So the farmers harvested the still green ears of grain. They dried the harvest over the fire in the oven at that time. Since the dried grain was very well received and well tolerated at the time, it soon became a kind of tradition. That was the birth of the superfood green spelt.
Green spelt is therefore unripe spelt that is roasted and dried after harvesting and is not a new invention.
That's why ancient cereals are so healthy!
How is healthy green spelt made?
Nowadays, drying no longer takes place in the oven, but in modern hot-air systems at a minimum of 120 degrees. The drying process is called "kilning".
The green spelt, is still very soft due to the lack of starch. During drying, it is hardened and thus made grindable.
This special production provides firstly the characteristic smoky aroma of the grain and secondly the typical olive green color.
The former spelt grain is then healthy green spelt.
Try this delicious green spelt bolognese!
Where does green spelt come from and what can you make from it?
Its origins lie in northern Baden, northern Switzerland and the Ardennes. As I said, sometimes you can find the superfood right on your doorstep.
Supermarkets sell whole green spelt grains, pearl barley, semolina, flakes and flour.
You can conjure up many healthy treats from it. I love to make green spelt patties or spreads, because the nutty and savory smoky flavor tastes so totally good.
The ancient grain also tastes delicious in soups and casseroles or in muesli! Especially hearty dishes healthy green spelt gives the extra portion of flavor.
Do you already know green spelt fritters?
How healthy is green spelt?
According to Verbraucherservice Bayern, green spelt is the healthy alternative to wheat.
It contains significantly more vitamins (especially vitamin B) and minerals than more modern cereals. For me, this makes green spelt a serious competitor to chocolate when it comes to nerve food. Vitamin B is especially important for your brain and nerves.
Speaking of modern cereals: spelt and thus also green spelt require significantly less fertilizer and pesticides than wheat. Spelt also grows well on barren fields and is resistant to bad weather. Green spelt is therefore far less polluted than other cereals.
Furthermore, the healthy green spelt contains a lot of fiber. These ensure that you are satiated for a long time after eating a tasty casserole with green spelt.
Proteins and iron in particular are hidden in abundance in this energy-giving grain. Many athletes therefore like to use products with unripe spelt. Vegetarians and vegans also often eat this cereal alternative at lunch.
And the list of valuable ingredients goes on and on. In green spelt you will also find plenty of magnesium, calcium and potassium.
These are more than enough reasons to put the forgotten but very healthy green spelt back on the menu more often.
The nutritional values of healthy green spelt at a glance
That was a lot of information at once. We have summarized the values again in figures. 100 grams of healthy green spelt contain:
- 10,8 g protein
- 2,7 g fat
- 9 g dietary fiber
- 4,3 mg iron
- 20 mg calcium
- 445 mg potassium
- 130 mg magnesium
- 324 calories
And that's not all. Green spelt is considered particularly easy to digest and gentle on the stomach.
How about a delicious green seed soup?
Here's how to best absorb the nutrients of healthy green spelt
As full as green spelt is with important ingredients, it is difficult to absorb the nutrients. This is due to the phytic acid it contains. This secondary plant substance binds minerals to itself and makes them indigestible. But don't worry, there's a solution for that, too.
- At the beginning you should rinse the grains once properly in a sieve.
- Then boil them for ten minutes in water or spicy broth. Always take twice as much liquid as grains.
- In the last step, let the kernels swell on low heat for about 30 minutes, covered.
A second option is to simply soak the grains in cold water overnight. The next day, you boil them in the same water for only ten to 15 minutes. This method is gentler and the healthy vitamins and nutrients are largely preserved.
This way you can digest all the valuable ingredients and feast deliciously.
Which is better: classic spelt or healthy green spelt?
It depends. Depending on what you want to do with the grain, you should decide. Green spelt tastes different from spelt. It is nutty, hearty and smoky in flavor.
We would recommend healthy green spelt for rustic dishes. Ultimately, however, it is purely a matter of taste; in the truest sense of the word.
Our conclusion
We think that green spelt deserves much more attention. It cuts a good figure next to Chia seeds*Green spelt is healthy because it contains an above-average amount of vitamins and important nutrients. It is also versatile and really tasty.
It is super suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets, as green spelt can provide your body with the minerals it needs.
We wish you a good appetite and a lot of fun cooking our delicious green spelt recipes.
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