Buckwheat, one among the extraordinarily fast-growing crops, has several uses. As it is capable of wide adaptation and flexible growth, it was grown on over 1 million acres of land in the United States of America during the late 19th century, despite the fact that it was not a native crop of the country. Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were in fact among the first few farmers from the U.S. to sow buckwheat and popularize the advantages of crop rotation.More...
In majority of areas, buckwheat is ideally sown nearly three months ahead of the first killing frost. This is done to ensure that the extreme temperatures are avoided during seed formation. Nearly all growers in the north east sow the grain in last week of June, while those in the south prefer to sow it a little later. In any case, a good yield cannot be expected if you sow it less than two months prior to the expected frost.
Although it is not necessary to have very diaphanously worked soil to grow the buckwheat grain, it is advisable to prepare an early seedbed to ensure a high yield. In fact, buckwheat is known to typically follow the early crops of pea. Buckwheat seeds by hand are broadcasted at rate of nearly 2-4 pounds/1000 sq. ft. After the grain is sowed, the area must be lightly raked to cover the seeds completely.More...
Where To Buy Buckwheat Hulls ?
Buckwheat hulls, produced as a byproduct during milling of buckwheat grains, are very popular in the United States, Japan, Russia, and Eastern Europe, and can be bought from any of these places. Flattened hulls, which are typically utilized as premium quality mulch, are highly preferred by the Rosarians. Quite interestingly, these hulls are utilized in Japan for making traditional pillow fillings. These special Japanese pillows, also known as the ‘Sobakawa’ pillows, are in great demand nowadays and can be easily found in the United States.
Huge quantities of buckwheat hulls are domestically grown and also imported in the United States.
When you purchase hulls, ensure that they are certified as ‘Organic’ by the government of country or state you are buying them from. If you are looking for cheaper quality of hulls, you can purchase them from Asian and east European markets. Usually, inexpensive buckwheat hulls imported from abroad may be broken or fumigated. Therefore, before you make a purchase, make sure they are processed and grown in accordance with the organic guidelines of N. America.More...
Including whole grains in your diet is recommended not only for maintaining good health but also for making the food taste better. Buckwheat is an exotic variety of whole grain that can add a distinct flavor to your food. Buckwheat groats, when properly cooked, have a nutty taste and a slightly chewy texture. However, if they are not cooked or handled properly, they might taste very bitter.
Buckwheat contains several bitter compounds, which can be removed only by ensuring that pre-cooking is done appropriately. In case you not find enough time to roast buckwheat groats, you can buy the toasted ones, also known as ‘Kasha’ in Russia.More...