Wheat has been a staple food for humanity for thousands of years. Breads, pastas and semolina are made with it and are present in the diet of much of the world. But there is not a single wheat, but different species, and among them we highlight on this occasion the Khorasan wheat.
We could say that it is a hybrid, because it arises from mixing durum wheat with a wild form of wheat. It is also one of the oldest cereals cultivated, and it owes its name to its place of origin, a historical area that was in the territories now occupied by Iran and Afghanistan.
How many types of wheat are there?
There are three basic categories of wheat and, within each of them, we find countless varieties.
Hard wheat
Semolina wheat is widely used to make pasta, as it is a hard grain with a golden yellow color. It is rich in gluten and protein, so It has a firm and elastic texture which is ideal for making macaroni and other long-shaped pasta.
It is a food that is resistant to falling apart during cooking and, therefore, is perfect for pastas that require a long cooking time.
soft wheat
wheat bread or common wheat It is the most cultivated and consumed in the world. Its grain is soft and has a high gluten content, which is why it is Ideal for the production of bakery products.
It is a very versatile variety. Due to its soft and spongy texture, it is used in many baked and pre-cooked products.
durum wheat
Bread wheat is a less common variety. It is characterized by having a large and elongated grain, and It is usually used to make whole wheat flour, given its high fiber and nutrient content.
Today it is a particularly valued wheat, for its robust flavor and its ability to produce whole grain breads that are nutritious and tasty.
What is Khorasan wheat?
Khorasan wheat is native to a region that, as we said before, now belongs to Iran and Afghanistan. This area is popular for its wheat genetic diversity, and varieties are grown there that adapt to different climatic conditions and soils.
This wheat has always been highly valued for its special resistance to adverse weather conditions. It can withstand episodes of extreme heat and also times of drought.
It comes from a cross between durum wheat and wild wheat, and this gives it unique characteristics:
Adaptability
It is a very adaptable variety and can be grown in a wide range of environments. That is to say, although he is originally from Khorasan, We can find fields of this wheat in other regions of the world.
Resistance
The varieties of this wheat are popular for their great resistance capacity. They can survive even in poor soils, and are ideal for organic farming, because they can withstand practically anything without "help" of the human hand.
genetic diversity
Inside the wheat of Khorasan We find a wide range of varieties available. Each one with its different agronomic and grain quality characteristics.
High grain quality
This is a cereal highly valued for its high nutritional and culinary quality. It is rich in gluten, proteins and other nutrients which are essential for the proper functioning of the body.
Culinary use
A large number of food products are made with this grain. The most common are breads and cakes.
Improvement potential
The genetic diversity of Khorasan wheat provides a solid basis for the development of genetic improvement programs that seek to develop varieties with improved characteristics. For example, with greater resistance to diseases, higher yields and better adaptability to changing climate conditions.
What challenges does the cultivation of this type of wheat present?
Khorasan wheat is also known as Khorasan or Kamut. In recent years, the interest of the agronomic and flour sector has aroused and, therefore, crops have begun to multiply. But developing this cereal involves a series of challenges.
- Rusticity. It is a very old and rustic cereal that adapts well to different soils and climates. It can grow both in dry and hot climates and in cold climates. But it has a certain sensitivity to humidity.
- Sowing. It is carried out between the months of December and January, because this is a cereal that prefers short growing cycles.
- Ecological agriculture. It is becoming a variety widely used in organic farming due to its great resistance. It is enough to control that weeds do not grow around it and apply a little fertilization to the soil. This is done with manure, green manure, or rotating the crop of this cereal with legumes, so that it takes advantage of the excess nitrogen.
- Cost effectiveness. The demand for this wheat has increased, and its yield is around 1500-2000 kilos per hectare. It is a smaller production than conventional wheat, but it is a higher quality cereal and its market price is higher.
Different uses for Khorasan wheat
This ancient variety of wheat has different uses in human nutrition. Furthermore, in its place of origin, it constitutes one of the main bases of camel nutrition.
baking flour
kamut wheat can be ground to make flour which is then used in a wide variety of baked products such as breads or cookies.
It has a slightly sweet flavor and smooth texture that improve the quality of baked goods over traditional wheat.
Cereals and breakfast
The grain of this wheat is used to produce cereals, but it can also be taken directly. Simply cook the kamut grains with milk or water to make a kind of porridge, and serve them accompanied by a little fruit, nuts and honey.
Salads
Kamut wheat grains add texture and flavor to salads. They thus contribute to making these dishes more satiating and reinforce their nutritional quality.
Substitute for rice or quinoa
It can operate as a substitute for two other very popular cereals. It is possible to use it to make sushi, bowls, or any other dish. which usually has rice or quinoa.
Khorasan wheat is a versatile and very resistant variety, which is why it is increasingly popular. Did you already know him?