A year ago we weren't sure if grain mills were good investments or not. But after reading a recent LA Times article about the joys of grinding whole-grain flours at home, we're itching to get our hands on a grinder and find out if freshly milled flour is as easy and tasty as it sounds.
The article promises that deciding between an electric and manual grain mill is the toughest part of grinding your own flour; the actual process takes just minutes. The possibilities are endless — from ground roasted buckwheat polenta to a gluten-free blend of rice, oat and millet — and the flavor of fresh flour is apparently nothing like the stuff on the shelves.
The former chairman of the Bread Bakers Guild of America, a fan of grinding flour at home, explains why home-milled whole wheat flour tastes so much better:
The tastiest part of the wheat berry is the germ; that's where all the fat is. When you remove all the fat … it doesn't have all its properties and it doesn't taste good. With the germ, with what you guys are doing at home, it's super-duper tasty. And incredibly more healthful than the flour that's available at the grocery store.
We're intrigued!
• Check it out: Flour power: The joy of grinding your own
Have you ever tried freshly ground flour? Is the difference in taste worth the effort?
Related: Coconut Flour: Is This the Best Gluten-Free Flour?
(Image: Flickr member isabel*la licensed under Creative Commons)
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When our son came along, my wife decided she wanted to look into making baby food and others generally-processed foods from scratch. She also wanted to switch to whole wheat flour and grind it herself. So finding a good multi-purpose gadget was important. We settled on a Blendtec blender. Yes, a blender. Of course, this thing packs a hefty motor.
If you don't need the adjustability of a grain mill, look into a high-end ($400+) blender. We get fresh breads, pizza crust, cakes and cookies out of the flour. Plus, green smoothies, fresh peanut butter, ice cream, fantasticly smooth purees and sauces, etc.
I'm also a homebrewer, and my only lament is the Blendtec won't crask barley malt for brewing. I don't want barley malt flour, just cracked hulls. I'm going to have to get an old-fashioned crain mill for that.
My mother grinds small amounts of grains and pulses daily so I've been looking into getting a grain mill for her. I'd love to hear about any experiences people have with their grain mills.
I have contemplated getting a grain mill for a long time, but I think I am going to bite the bullet and buy the $400+ Komo grain mill (aka Wolfgang) .
One of the difficult things is to find a good local source for wheat berries. Does anyone live in the Northern VA / DC area have a good source?
Also, one difficulty is that if you ever want to make something that is not 100% whole wheat, you can't grind your own white flour.
My mom has ground her own wheat and baked bread every week for as long as I can remember. Its by far the best bread my mouth has ever had the pleasure to consume. Everyone who has it agrees. Add some of the honey from our bees in the back and oh man.
She has the whispermill and she LOVES it.
I've had a grain mill for years, I only use it sometimes since we don't eat exclusively. I tend to grind a whole bunch of wheat and then freeze the flour. The taste is significantly better than store bought whole wheat flour. Much more mild with no bitterness. I buy my wheatberries at the health food store in 50 pound bags. I have a nutrimill that I bought at pleasanthill grain - who have excellent above average customer service. I have a friend who has a KOMO and that is nice because it is not as big and sits on her counter and she just grinds small amounts for each recipe she makes. You wouldn't want a nutrimill on your counter.
I have been grinding grains and beans for my kids for about 4 years now and use it to cook porridge. Plain old coffee grinder, works like a charm.
b-ry, your local food co-op will most likely carry wheat berries.
If you want something hyper local, the best resource I know of is www.localharvest.org
Thanks splatgirl. I have a Whole Foods right down the street and they carry wheat berries, but I was looking for something hyper local and superior quality. I suppose I could always start with the Whole Foods wheat berries.
Has anyone tried the mill attachment on their Kitchenaid mixer? Wondering if I should get one...
My mom has also been grinding her own whole wheat flour for at least 10 years. She loves the whispermill too. I definitely can taste a difference.
b-ry, I live in Reston, VA and bought a 25 lb bag of prairie gold from Quail Cove Farms. I use a vitamix and can definitely taste the difference.
Vita-Mix! The beauty of owning a vita-mix is that it does grind berries and does a lot of other things as well.