Spelt
When we talk about “ancient grains”, we mean all those grains that have not been altered by human selection over millennia: grains or cereals that have remained as Nature created them, without genetic modifications or variety selections. There are various species of ancient grains with many ecotypes directly derived from the original species, spontaneously formed in areas differing in climate, altitude, and soil type. Among the ancient grains are the three species of Spelt. Let’s get to know them together!
Emmer Wheat
The most widespread species in Italy, ancestor of current durum wheat (Triticum durum): its flour is particularly suited for pasta making. Incredibly versatile, it’s excellent for soups, farrotti, salads, and cold dishes. Traditionally consumed both pearled and dehulled. Emmer Wheat is rich in fibre, proteins, minerals, and has a low glycemic index.
Einkorn Wheat
The Einkorn Wheat (Triticum Monococcum) is the oldest Spelt species, from which Triticum dicoccum also originated. It has a low glycemic impact, and its fragile gluten allows for highly digestible products. Nutritionally, Einkorn Wheat is particularly rich in proteins, antioxidants, and carotenoids.
Spelled Wheat
Derived from a spontaneous cross between Triticum dicoccum and a wild ancestor, this is the species from which the current soft wheat (Triticum aestivum) originated. It’s the least rustic species, adaptable to poor soils, so we take special care in its cultivation. Its main use is in milling for bread–making flours, but also for creating tasty and healthy bakery products like sweets and biscuits.
Territory
The Apennines are our land: working along its harsh, stony hills is challenging, but the exceptional product it yields makes every effort worthwhile. In the Firenzuola and Mugello areas, organic Spelt cultivation is slowly replacing other cereals, with excellent effects on the environment and soil health, thanks to this cereal’s characteristic resistance, which allows for cultivation without pesticides or fertilizers. In 2016, Poggio del Farro achieved the UNI EN ISO 22005:2008 Agri–food Chain and Internal Traceability Certification. This certification verifies the Tuscan origin of our Spelt and applies to two of our principal products: organic pearled spelt from Mugello and organic whole spelt from Tuscany.
AT THE START OF AUTUMN, FIELDS ARE PREPARED FOR SOWING BY PLOUGHING AND ARROWING, RENEWING THE SOIL’S CHARACTERISTICS.
THE PLANTED SPELT RESTS THROUGHOUT AUTUMN AND, AT THE START OF WINTER, BEGINS TO SPROUT.
SPELT’S INITIAL RAPID GROWTH AND ITS COMPETITIVE ABILITY AGAINST WEEDS FAVOR ITS HEALTH, AS IT DOESN’T REQUIRE HERBICIDE TREATMENTS.
THE HARVEST GENERALLY TAKES PLACE BETWEEN MID-JULY AND MID-AUGUST, DEPENDING ON THE CLIMATIC CONDITIONS AND CULTIVATION AREAS.
Our Tuscan Certified Supply Chain
How does it work?
Our production process begins with the selection of seeds, which are delivered to farmers every year for autumn sowing.
When the Spelt matures (July-August), it is harvested and immediately transported to our Firenzuola headquarters, where it is stored in silos for later processing in our facility.
The silos are the “treasure chests” of our company: strong guardians of our precious raw material, the heart and symbol of our activity.
We have mentioned that Spelt is a “dressed” grain: this means it retains its husks and chaff around the kernel.
This particular characteristic necessitates the removal of these natural coverings through various processing stages of the raw product, such as:
– Screening: the removal of impurities like straw, small stones, and seeds of other plants;
– Dehulling: the removal of husks and chaff while keeping the outer coverings and germ intact in the kernel. Stopping at this stage results in whole Spelt;
– Pearling: a process that involves removing the coverings that tightly encase the kernel, which shortens the cooking time of the grain.
Only after these three stages is it possible to proceed with the packaging of the Spelt; the more structured and complex transformations are entrusted to and carried out by rigorously selected and renowned quality companies.
