Unboxed: 8 natural products that are going with the grain
Ancient grains are breathing new life into today’s natural brands, showing up as key ingredients in products ranging from cereal to snacks, sweets, pantry staples and everything in between.
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Made at a plow-to-package organic grain farm in Washington state, this certified organic blend is made from the ancient hulled wheat known as einkorn—which has low gluten content, a rich nutrient profile and a sweet and nutty flavor. Use it for pancakes, quick breads biscuits and other everyday baking needs.
These sorghum-based chips have all the flavor and texture that consumers are looking for, with none of the top 12 allergens. Naturally gluten-free, Certified Gluten Free and non-GMO, the chips are made with just whole grain sorghum, seasonings and sunflower oil, for the perfect, better-for-you snacking option that also has 2 grams dietary fiber and 2 grams protein per serving.
Made with the same heirloom corn (upcycled corn flour from the brand’s Heirloom Cheese Balls, in this case) that has made a name for this minority-owned, women-owned company, these crunch-tastic crackers are Non-GMO Project Verified, whole grain and gluten-free. Also available in Cheddar and Sea Salt varieties, the crackers are packaged in a 100% recyclable box made with 100% recycled materials.
These air popped, ancient grain chips are made from whole grain sorghum, brown rice, quinoa and chia seeds, and come in four, snacking flavors, including this vegan version of a classic flavor combination. They are non-GMO and gluten free, tree nut and peanut friendly, and certified as 100% Whole Grain by the Whole Grain Council.
Just like instant oatmeal, but with an extra healthy dose of organic oats, quinoa, amaranth, flax and chia seeds. This new product also gets a functional boost from grass fed collagen, which contributes 7 grams of protein to each pouch while also promoting skin and joint health. Also available in Vanilla Pecan.
Made from the fiber-rich oat pulp leftover from oat milk production, this is the brand-new product and latest innovation from this stellar brand, which is driven by the mission of upcycling food waste.
The ancient grain khorasan wheat kernels used to make these hand-roasted, USDA Organic snacks have a sweet, nutty-buttery flavor. This trademarked wheat variety is cultivated throughout Montana and the northern plains and is revered for its great taste and nutritional profile. These crunchy kernels boast 6 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber and vitamins and minerals including zinc, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamins B1 and B3.
This product is one in a line of five new fonio-based snacks from Yolélé, a brand that is well on its way to making this gluten-free ancient grain a household word. Rich in essential amino acids and easily digestible, fonio can be cultivated using very little water, making it a sustainable crop for farmers in areas of West Africa that are suffering the effects of climate change. Light and crispy and seasoned only with a dusting of sea salt, these chips were just unveiled at Specialty Food Live 2021, the digital version of the Winter Fancy Food Show.
This product is one in a line of five new fonio-based snacks from Yolélé, a brand that is well on its way to making this gluten-free ancient grain a household word. Rich in essential amino acids and easily digestible, fonio can be cultivated using very little water, making it a sustainable crop for farmers in areas of West Africa that are suffering the effects of climate change. Light and crispy and seasoned only with a dusting of sea salt, these chips were just unveiled at Specialty Food Live 2021, the digital version of the Winter Fancy Food Show.
It hasn’t been easy being gluten for the last decade: bearing the brunt of many dieters’ distrust, serving as the scapegoat for everything from inflammation to skin problems and, ultimately, facing elimination from many people’s diets. Celiac disease, which affects around 1% of the population according to the Celiac Disease Foundation, is of course no joke, nor are the symptoms experienced by the additional 6% of Americans that claim to be gluten sensitive.
Further damage to gluten’s good name has come from the popularity of carbohydrate-banishing modern dietary tribes that have led to claims of “grain-free” joining the “gluten-free” chorus in the natural products industry over the past several years.
As with all trends, however, grain and gluten abstinence have gotten some pushback, particularly as long-venerated dietary lifestyles like the Mediterranean Diet—which highlights the importance of consuming whole grains for a well-balanced, healthy diet—continue to gain traction among Americans.
And though whole grain wheat might be back on some people’s menus, today’s natural product brands are also relying on the ancient wisdom of other traditional grains, ancient varietals and even some once forgotten crops to fuel innovative new products. With names such as sorghum, millet, fonio and einka, these grains and others offer advantages that might include unbeatable nutrient profiles, inspirational sustainability stories and extreme versatility.
From flour and baking mixes to breakfast cereal and snacks, here are a few of the grain-ful (though not necessarily gluten-ful) natural products that are embracing a return to the wisdom of ancient grains.
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