Whole Wheat, Grain and Flour Basics

Choose the best whole wheat grains and flour for your bakery

With the popularity of whole wheat products rising, it's important to understand whole wheat, grain and flour basics, so you can make the best product decisions for your bakery. While there are some differences in the types of whole wheat grain, the health benefits from each are the same.

As a baker, you will need to decide three things: deciding whether to use red or white whole grain wheat flour, determining whether to use organic wheat flour and considering whether grinding the wheat in your bakery is an option. Remember these points as you research your options:

1. Choose between red wheat berry and white wheat berry whole wheat flour.

2. Consider whether it makes sense to purchase organic wheat flour to provide a healthier option for your customers.

3. Look into grinding your own freshly ground whole grain wheat flour.

 

Understand the difference hard red and soft white wheat berries make in whole wheat products

Color, flavor and gluten content are some of the differences you will notice between red and white wheat. Red wheat has a richer flavor and lower gluten content than white wheat, which gives a mild flavor to baked goods. Typically you use red wheat flour for breads and whole white wheat flour for cakes, cookies and other sweet, baked goods.
Try: The Fresh Loaf conducted a study using the different types of wheat to make bread. Read the full article to find the results of its experiment. Visit the Whole Grains Council to find the answers to questions frequently asked about red and white wheat flours to help you determine which to use.

Determine the need to provide whole wheat products made from organic wheat flour

The nutritional benefits of organic whole wheat products stem from the growth process. Organic wheat flour producers grow and process organic products without the use of any chemicals including fertilizer, weed control or pest control. Many consumers will pay more for organic products than non-organic, so it may be worth your time and money to provide at least a few organic products.
Try: Royal Society of Chemistry provides important information on the differences between organic and non-organic produce. Use it to find out the pros and cons of organic food. For more information on the differences between organic and non-organic foods, including wheat, visit HubPages.

Consider grinding wheat berries for fresh and flavorful whole wheat flour

Fresh wheat flour is higher in nutrients and flavor than wheat flour you purchase. The price of wheat berries is higher than the cost of wheat flour per pound, but wheat berries yield a higher percent of flour, making it a less expensive way to go. While this will make your flour less expensive, it's critical to consider the cost of a commercial flour mill.
Try: TheFoodRoots.com provides detailed information on the wheat berry. You can find a comparison of small flour mills at Everything Kitchens. While these mills work for small scale flour grinding, it's a good place to start finding information.

 

• Grinding wheat berries into wheat flour is a time consuming task, even when you use high-speed grinders. If you are considering this option, look into purchasing a commercial flour mill that will grind large quantities of whole wheat at a time.

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