[Mike in Pa]

Anyone know anything about Spelt? I've done a lot of research but there's not a lot of info out there. Spelt is a form of wheat (I think) that is USUALLY tolorable to people that can't tolerate the typical gluten and/or wheat products. Spelt does however contain gluten but little and a different type than wheat.

I also found that almost 90% (I think) of U.S. Spelt is grown in Ohio ... for all of you Ohioians!

I'd like to know where to buy seed (preferrably organic and definately open pollinated) and how and when to plant. I had heard that some is to be planted as winter wheat. Meaning plant in Sept. in zone 5??


I'd really like to try this on a small family type scale for my 3 year old son that has health problems. If anyone knows about these questions I'd greatly appreciate a reply.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Leslie A.]

Here's a source, but it is in Canada, and I don't know if the spelt they sell is the same as what is currently being touted:

http://www.saltspringseeds.com/catalog/wheats.cfm

Also, Bountiful Gardens (which is in the US) does not have spelt, but carries an interesting variety of modern and ancient wheats, and provides a little more information on protein percentage and allergy-friendliness:

http://www.bountifulgardens.org/seeds-books-tools/grain-seed/grains-seed.html

 

[sbeerman]

http://www.purityfoods.com/index2.html

this page advertises "Organically Grown Beans, Grains, and Seeds "
Hope this helps.
Sandie Oregon Zone 6/7

 

[Fla Gal]

Hi Mike,

There is a lot of information out there. You just have to know the right google search words to find it. I hope this information helps you.

Wheat Free and Gluten Free Recipes and Resources
http://www.recipelink.com/wheatfree.html

Some of the most commonly used ingredients in baking or cooking include wheat/gluten, dairy, eggs, yeast, refined sugar, corn, various oils and fats, as well as cocoa. These also happen to be common causes of food allergies and intolerances. The following is meant to serve as basic suggestions when attempting to use alternate ingredients in cooking.
http://www.specialdiets.org/recipes.htm

The above information was found on a google search using the keywords "special diets".
http://tinyurl.com/3yemq

This web page should be particularly interesting to you as it mentions spelt being brought to Ohio. It also gives a brief history of spelt and tells how spelt is similar to, but different from wheat.
From WaltonFeed.com:
http://waltonfeed.com/self/spelt.html

The above information is at this google search page using the keywords "spelt seed".
[ame]http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=spelt+seed[/ame]

 

[southerngurl]

My dad is allergic to wheat (among many other things) but is able to eat spelt. Spelt is closely related to wheat but more primitive and has been used as a livestock grain in the past. We have used it to make cakes, cookies, bread, gravy, pretty much anything you use wheat for. The white spelt flour works really well and is a great replacement for white wheat though sometimes you need to adjust the water, but the whole spelt acts funny. Take it from me, don't try to make a whole spelt pie crust :no: ! Whole spelt makes a decent white gravy though.

I have been told it is hard to do yourself, not necessarily to grow, but to process. The chaff is hard to get off or something. Good luck and let us know if it works well for you. We would be interested in growing our own if it is not too close to impossible.

 

[Mike in Pa]

Thanks a lot for the replies. I'm going to check into these sites. I'm going to try this and see what all it involves. Just hope I can find the right seed.

I'd REALLY like to talk to someone that grows it!!!! What type to buy? Special processing tips,etc.

Thanks, Mike

 

[kathy H]

I know who can answer all your questions, the rodale instatute. They study all the grains for raising in third world countrys. Amaranth is another good grain and seeds of change carrys seeds, might check there for seeds of spelt to.www.seedsofchange.com and rodale.com.

 

[Mike in Pa]

Thanks Kathy ... couldn't find anything on either of those though.



Does spelt need to have the hull on to grow? Would spelt kernals for consumption be good for growing?