How to Buy Whole Grains for Home Milling

Thanks to the availability of home grain mills, buying whole grains for home milling has become a simple process with lasting benefits. Those who buy whole grains for home milling save money and enjoy gourmet-like baking and superior nutrition. A stash of whole grains can be a hedge against emergency and food shortage, as properly stored whole grains last indefinitely.

Instructions

1. Locate a good source for whole grains for home milling. Look for whole grains at health and natural food stores, food co-ops and online. Contact your local natural bread store or bakery and ask if they mill their own flour. If so, you may be able to buy grain in bulk through their source.

2. Find out if Bread Beckers, Frankferd Farms, Quail Cove Farms, Wheat Montana or other natural food sources have co-ops or deliveries in your area. If so, find out how to become a customer and plan to place an order for whole grains for home milling.

3. Determine which types of whole grains best suit your needs. If you like to bake heavy wheat loaves, try hard red wheat. For lighter loaves, buy white wheat, which is a whole grain with a lighter texture and flavor. If you want to try making sourdough bread, look for rye. To make Irish oatmeal, buy whole oats and coarsely grind, or crack, them to make porridge.

4. Order a large quantity of whole grains at a time. Buying in bulk (usually 45 lbs. and up) saves money and gives you a great value. Be sure that you have buckets with tightly sealing lids to avoid attracting pests. Often, you will be able to purchase the buckets from the grain supplier.

5. Experiment with milling at different textures--very fine for pastries, course for cereals--after locating and purchasing whole grains for home milling.

Resources

• Find a local food co-op for whole grains.