Khorasan wheat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Khorasan wheat |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Triticum |
| Species: |
T. turanicum
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| Binomial name | |
| Triticum turanicum Jakubz.
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| Synonyms | |
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Khorasan wheat is an ancient type of wheat. It is also known as Oriental wheat. Its scientific name is Triticum turgidum subsp. turanicum. This grain is much larger than the wheat we usually see today. It has a special rich, nutty, and buttery flavor.
Contents
What Makes Khorasan Wheat Special?
Khorasan wheat is a type of grass grown for its grains. It looks a lot like regular common wheat. But its grains are about twice as big! Each grain can weigh up to 60 grams (2.1 ounces) for a thousand kernels. These grains are a beautiful amber color. They are also packed with more proteins, lipids (fats), amino acids, vitamins, and minerals than modern wheat.
A Journey Through Time
Khorasan wheat is an ancient grain. It was grown and traded along the famous Silk Road. This was a network of trade routes connecting the East and West. The name "Khorasan" comes from a historical region. This region is located in the eastern Iranian plateau. It includes parts of modern-day Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan.
For a long time, this wheat was not widely known. In the mid-1900s, it was rediscovered. A farmer named T. Mack Quinn and his son Bob brought it to the United States. Bob Quinn, an agricultural scientist, helped make it popular again. He even created a special brand for it called "Kamut". This brand ensures the wheat is grown using organic methods.
Growing Khorasan Wheat
Khorasan wheat is a small but important part of the ancient grains market. Most of it is grown in Montana in the United States and in Canada. Some is also grown in Italy.
Farmers grow Khorasan wheat much like other types of wheat. Many farmers choose to grow it organically. This means they use natural ways to keep the soil healthy. They often plant different crops in a cycle, called crop rotation. This helps the soil get enough nutrients, like nitrogen.
Harvesting Khorasan wheat is a bit tricky. Its seeds are delicate and can break easily. So, farmers must be extra careful when they harvest and handle the grains.
Climate and Soil Needs
Khorasan wheat grows best in certain conditions. It likes a mild climate with cold nights in early spring. It also needs a warm summer to ripen well. This wheat is known for being very good at handling dry weather. It can grow even when there isn't much rain. However, too much rain, especially near harvest time, can cause plant diseases.
The best soil for Khorasan wheat is deep, rich, black clay. This type of soil can hold a lot of water.
Keeping Plants Healthy
Khorasan wheat can get many of the same diseases as other wheat types. Most of these diseases are caused by tiny fungi. One common problem is called Fusarium head blight. Khorasan wheat can be very sensitive to this disease.
Because of this, crop rotation is very important. Farmers avoid planting Khorasan wheat after crops like corn or other cereals. Instead, they might plant crops like canola, sunflower, pulses, or sorghum. This helps keep the soil healthy and reduces disease.
How We Use Khorasan Wheat
Khorasan wheat is used in many ways, just like regular wheat. Its grains can be eaten whole. They can also be ground into flour. You can find Khorasan wheat in many foods. These include breads, breakfast cereals, cookies, waffles, pancakes, and pastas. It is also used in drinks, beer, and snacks. People love Khorasan wheat for its smooth texture and its nutty, buttery taste.
Healthy Benefits
Important Nutrients
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
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| Energy | 1,411 kJ (337 kcal) |
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70.38 g
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| Starch | 52.41 g |
| Dietary fiber | 9.1 g |
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2.2 g
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| Saturated | 0.192 g |
| Monounsaturated | 0.214 g |
| Polyunsaturated | 0.616 g |
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Protein
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14.7 g
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| Vitamins | Quantity
%DV†
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| Thiamine (B1) |
51%
0.591 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
15%
0.178 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
40%
6.35 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) |
18%
0.9 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
20%
0.255 mg |
| Vitamin E |
4%
0.6 mg |
| Minerals | Quantity
%DV†
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| Iron |
34%
4.41 mg |
| Magnesium |
38%
134 mg |
| Manganese |
136%
2.86 mg |
| Phosphorus |
55%
386 mg |
| Potassium |
15%
446 mg |
| Zinc |
39%
3.68 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Water | 10.95 g |
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults. | |
A 100-gram (3+1⁄2-ounce) serving of uncooked Khorasan wheat has 1,410 kilojoules (337 kilocalories) of food energy. It is a great source of many important nutrients. It provides a lot of protein and dietary fiber. It also has several B vitamins and dietary minerals. For example, it is very rich in manganese. Khorasan wheat is about 15% protein. This high protein content helps make it good for milling into flour.
Who Should Be Careful?
Khorasan wheat contains gluten. Gluten is a type of protein found in many grains. Because of this, it is not suitable for people with certain health conditions. These include celiac disease or wheat allergy. If someone has a gluten-related disorder, they should avoid Khorasan wheat.
See also
In Spanish: Trigo de Jorasán para niños
