Spelt, also known as dinkel wheat, or hulled wheat, is a species of wheat cultivated since approximately 5000 BC. Spelt was an important staple in parts of Europe from the Bronze Age to medieval times; it now survives as a relict crop in Central Europe and northern Spain and has found a new market as a health food. Spelt is sometimes considered a subspecies of the closely related species common wheat, in which case its botanical name is considered to be Triticum aestivum subsp. spelta. It is a hexaploid wheat, which means it has six sets of chromosomes. Over the years 2004 to 2014, spelt gained widespread popularity as a wheat substitute for making artisan breads, pasta and cereals.
Spelt - The wonder food
Healthier, stronger and more beautiful with spelt! Spelt is the very best grain ..."
Like none before or after her, Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), described the building stones of life itself including the grain spelt. She wrote the first German book on natural medicine entitled Physica in which she pointed out the natural healing powers found in trees, fruits and grains, spices and herbs, animals, birds, fish, precious stones and metals. Hildegard connected these healing powers to the health of the whole person.
Spelt muffins
2 1/4 cups of spelt flour, fine or coarse in any combination<
1/4 cup brown sugar or honey
1 Tbsp. baking powder without aluminum
1/2 or less tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups milk
3 eggs, beaten
Tbsp. cold-pressed sunflower oil.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease and flour 12 muffin cups. Combine all dry ingredients. Add milk, eggs and oil and mix until moistened. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter and bake for 17 minutes, or until brown. Variations: add 1/2 cup chopped almonds or 1/2 cup chopped dates or raisins, or 1/4 cup of each to batter before baking.
Cinnamon coffee cake
1/3 cup soft butter
1 cup or less brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2cups spelt flour
1 tsp. baking powder without aluminum
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugar; add eggs and blend. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into an 8 x 8-inch or 9 x 9-inch well-greased baking dish. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool before cutting.
