Date: 22 Jun 2012
We are pleased to announce that our Wholegrain English Einkorn Flour has been accepted into the Slow Food Ark of Taste Forgotten Foods programme.
The Ark of Taste is dedicated to preserving Britain's food heritage and edible bio-diversity by raising awareness amongst consumers, supermarkets, chefs and restaurants. Often, the foods in the Ark of Taste are in danger of becoming extinct and Slow Food helps to bring them to the attention of the general public.
Fast Life, Intensive Production Methods and Excessive Legislation are the main reasons that we are losing so many of our traditional foods and drinks. With their demise we also lose centuries of expert knowledge and cultural traditions. We lose choice, flavour and the varied landscape and wildlife associated with traditional farming. In short we lose biodiversity.
What is Einkorn Flour?
Einkorn was one of the original cereal grains grown and harvested by mankind, and evidence of its existence spans over 2,000 years. It became a diet staple across the Mediterranean because of its ability to thrive in poor soil conditions. It disappeared from fields in Roman times when other species of wheat became more popular due to their higher yield and easier processing.
In 2008 Doves Farm began a collaborative project with a small group of organic farmers in the North Wessex Downs to re-establish the production of Einkorn, using preserved seed provided by an Agricultural Research Institute.
The Einkorn crop grows tall in the fields, with an unusual, short, flat, two-row seed head which encloses small wheat like grains encased in inedible husk. Einkorn thrives in poor soil and in adverse weather conditions, typically found in Britain. When harvested the small seeds are enclosed in an inedible outer husk which must be removed prior to milling or cooking.
Einkorn makes great bread, golden pizza bases and elegantly flavoured artisan cakes.
