What is Kamut® - A Complete Guide, with Recipes
Kamut® is an amazing variety of ancient wheat. Unlike hard red or hard white hybrid wheat, Kamut® has lower gluten, is higher in protein and contains higher amounts of trace vitamins and minerals – and is lower in fat than many other grains, including oats.
Origin - Where it began
The origin of Kamut® is intriguing – originally found in Portugal by way of Egypt in 1949, 36 grains of a large variety of wheat were given to Earl Dedman, a U.S. Airman serving in Portugal at the time. Earl sent the 36 kernals of wheat to his father in Montana who successfully grew them over the next few years. In 1964, Bob Quinn, 16 years old at the time, saw the grain on display at the local county fair.
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In 1977, Bob and his father Mack Quinn tracked down a small supply of the wheat and contacted the Corn Nuts® company, proposing they produce a product similar to Corn Nuts®, but made from giant wheat. Although promising, the project did not move forward. Over the next few years, the Quinn family continued to grow the wheat on the family farm, and in 1986, showed the wheat at a food show in Anaheim California.
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Commercial interest in the wheat increased over the next few years as various companies began to produce and market pasta and breads made with this interesting grain. Demand started to grow when people reported that the wheat had great flavor, and was more easily digested compared to modern varieties of wheat. Seeing they had something special, Bob and his family created the KAMUT® trademark to protect the wheat and guarantee that it would be grown organically and unmodified for years to come.
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What is Kamut®?
Kamut® has since been identified as a specific variety of Khorasan wheat, originating from the fertile crescent (Middle East) thousands of years ago.
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Today Kamut® is available in its original form as wheat, also as whole grain and white flour, rolled Kamut® and used for many other products world-wide. Kamut® is popular in Italy where pasta is king, and here in the U.S. where this variety of Kamut® brand Khorasan wheat is fast becoming known as a better alternative to modern wheat.
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Health Benefits
Kamut® has lower gluten, is more easily digested and has a sweet, mild taste compared to other varieties of wheat. Kamut® is also higher in minerals, such as Selenium (needed for Thyroid health) and copper. A diet that includes Kamut® can also help reduce inflammation and increase protein intake for athletes and those with active life-styles.
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Recipes and More
From pasta to pancakes, for cereals, breads and pizza, Kamut® is a better choice when it comes to grains that help rather than hurt.
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See Kamut® products and recipes at Khorasan Mills - khorasanmills.com.
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