Einkorn is a type of hulled wheat, one of the first plants to be domesticated and cultivated dating back 10,000 years in the Fertile Crescent near modern-day Turkey and Syria.
One of the oldest domesticated grains, einkorn can survive on poor, marginalized soils. Einkorn is well-known to consumers as an ancient grain.
The term einkorn is derived from German and means “single grain”; this refers to the fact that there is only one kernel in each spikelet on the plant. Its tough husks tightly enclose the grain seed, and require dehulling equipment to remove prior to further processing (such as milling) and consumption.
Function: The gluten proteins in einkorn are different from common bread wheats, so special strategies are needed to help make the flour work for yeasted or naturally leavened breads. Einkorn swaps more evenly in pancakes, muffins, and cookies.
Flavor profile: Chewy texture and with mild notes of toasted pecans.
Nutritional info: Considered more nutritious than some other wheats, it has higher levels of fat, phosphorus, potassium, and beta-carotene.