Book review: Restoring Heritage Grains

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Restoring Heritage Grains book coverI keep hearing more and more about gluten allergies. In fact, I learned in Restoring Heritage Grains that over the past 60 years, gluten allergies and celiac disease have become at least four times more common.

The book’s author, Eli Rogosa became interested in this topic after learning to grow wheat crops in the Middle East. She was impressed by how well these crops grow in the heat of the Fertile Crescent without irrigation or chemicals. Unfortunately, she also learned that traditional wheat varieties are at risk of extinction, so she started the Heritage Grain Conservancy to try to save rare wheat varieties. On her farm in Western Massachusetts, Rogosa runs an einkorn bakery and grows hundreds of rare wheat varieties. Einkorn is an ancient grain which Rogosa says has the safest, most easily digestible gluten and lowest glycemic index of all wheat varieties.

Book Content

In the first section of the book “On the Verge of Extinction,” Rogosa explains why heritage grain varieties are on the verge of extinction and why this is a major problem. Modern wheats rely on irrigation, pesticides, and other agrochemicals to survive and contribute significantly to global warming. They also cause health problems like gluten allergies and celiac disease, with symptoms such as weight gain or obesity, digestive issues, nutrient deficiencies, and osteoporosis. Alternatively, traditional/heritage grain varieties are more nutritious, resistant to weeds and diseases, and flavorful.

Another section “Forgotten Grains” covers more about Rogosa’s experience in the Middle East, the history and origins of wheat, and how seed saving can be used to restore rare varieties. Descriptions of many different wheat, rye, and barley species are included.

In the “Landrace Grain Husbandry” section, Rogosa explains that heritage wheat varieties are better adapted to be grown organically and help to mitigate climate change. She discusses the importance of crop rotations, cover crops, seed spacing, soil fertility, and compost when growing wheat. There are also tips for weed control, disease management, and harvesting.

“A Taste of History” includes many different recipes for using rare grain varieties. You’ll learn how to sprout grain flour, malt your own grain, make einkorn sourdough starter, and a fermented beverage – kvass “bread-beer.” There are many other recipes that call for einkorn, including the recipe for horchata below, which looks delicious and would be very refreshing with summer coming up!

"Horchata" Einkorn-Almond Milk

Horchata is a chilled, creamy medicinal beverage which helps with digestion. It originated in the Middle East and is traditionally made from almonds and barley, but this recipe calls for einkorn grains.

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups raw almonds
  • 1/2 cup einkorn grains
  • 6 diced dates
  • Dash nutmeg to taste
  • Scant tsp. grated ginger
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Soak almonds and einkorn grain in water overnight.
  • Add dates, dash of nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla to the einkorn-almond milk and blend.
  • Strain and chill.
  • Blend right before serving to create a light froth. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve.

Whether or not you have a gluten allergy or celiac disease, this is a comprehensive book about the issues with modern wheat. Until we begin to address these issues by restoring heritage grain varieties, I believe we will continue to see more people experiencing gluten intolerance.

Janie Hynson is an aspiring homesteader in North Carolina. She recently moved back to her hometown after living in Boston for six years and then traveling across the U.S. working on organic farms. Janie works in public health and sustainable agriculture and is interested in how health can be improved through homesteading.

4 thoughts on “Book review: Restoring Heritage Grains”

  1. I have been thinking about trying to grow ancient grains (on a small scale) as I love to bake with whole grains and they are not readily available around here. This book would be a great addition to my homesteading library.
    I’d also like to say thanks for all of the book reviews you share – they are quite helpful when I’m considering a new book for my collection.

    Reply
  2. Thanks for this opportunity! Always interested in learning about healthy alternatives to hybrid and over processed foods.
    Also have noticed personally when I eat wheat, my seasonal allergies are much worse. So I try to go as wheat free as possible.

    Reply
  3. I have a severe intolerance to gluten and a moderate intolerance for cow’s milk, plus more sensitivities I haven’t identified yet. Personally, I would attribute the rise in these common allergens mainly to lifestyle and environment. When your body is in a state of dysbiosis, it becomes extremely easy for common foods to become allergens. But there is hope — and a cure! Read Carolee Bateson-Koch’s “Allergies: Disease in Disguise” for more info. This goes beyond blaming “the man” and gives you proactive steps you can do to take back your life!

    Reply
    • P.S. My comment above is not at all meant to discount the somewhat unknown and likely harmful effects of GMO’s. Go organic!

      Reply

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