Milling flour
- tcalo
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Recently I've been interested in milling my own flour. I've read fresh milled flour is much healthier. Any members dabble in this area? I did notice that the price of wheat berries is more than commercially milled flour. You would think it would be cheaper for the raw material! A good mill is also very expensive. I believe most of the wheat grown is contracted to be sold to commercial mills. I guess like anything else, the niche market has a higher price tag to play!!
- Retro_Origin
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My mom always used her vitamix with a special dry mix container and blade set to grind her flour. I cannot vouch for the difference between that and an actual berry specific mill but she always had rave reviews on her breads, my wife has the same setup and I think it tastes good
If you want organic flour it may be in short supply..
"In the 2023/24 marketing year, Russia was the leading exporter of wheat, flour, and wheat products worldwide. Russia exported about 51 million metric tons that year. The European Union came in second, with 36.5 million metric tons of exports.Jan 30, 2024"
https://www.statista.com/statistics/190429/princi ... %20exports.
Russia is a major exporter...
BigBarney
"In the 2023/24 marketing year, Russia was the leading exporter of wheat, flour, and wheat products worldwide. Russia exported about 51 million metric tons that year. The European Union came in second, with 36.5 million metric tons of exports.Jan 30, 2024"
https://www.statista.com/statistics/190429/princi ... %20exports.
Russia is a major exporter...
BigBarney
- warminmn
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I would maybe look on Lehmans site or elsewhere to see if they have any grain that you like, then look for it cheaper somewhere else. Amish stores sell different flours here but unsure if any is not ground yet. I always thought bread made real chunky, fresh ground like your talking would be delicious. Good luck
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I was at a feed store at the beginning of COVID and some Bosnians were buying 50# bags of oats and were going to do the mylar bag pepper style thing. I guess depending on what you need/want, that could be an outlet to check.
- carlherrnstein
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When I was a young kid mom milled flour in a blender, the wheat was grown on the family farm. I think the wheat was a type that is used to make crackers an it didn't make good bread, it was very dense.tcalo wrote: ↑Mon. Mar. 04, 2024 4:56 pm Recently I've been interested in milling my own flour. I've read fresh milled flour is much healthier. Any members dabble in this area? I did notice that the price of wheat berries is more than commercially milled flour. You would think it would be cheaper for the raw material! A good mill is also very expensive. I believe most of the wheat grown is contracted to be sold to commercial mills. I guess like anything else, the niche market has a higher price tag to play!!
Fresh milled flour goes rancid an should be kept in the freezer. There's oils in the germ that oxidize. They remove all of the germ and bran from store bought flour so it keeps better.
- tcalo
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Since my last post here I tried grinding the wheat in my blender and small chopper with no luck. So I put them on my pantry shelf and forgot about them. I recently came across a few articles mentioning using coffee grinders to grind wheat berries in a pinch. I bought a cheap little used grinder just to test it out. I didn’t want to go all in on equipment if the consistency or taste wasn’t something we enjoyed. Well, it pulverized the wheat into powder. Not a long term solution, the wheat berries are hard and will most likely burn out the coffee grinder. I was just seeing if it would work. I tasted some fresh milled and it was full of flavor compared to store bought white flour. The next step would be to bake with it. Stay tuned!!.
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What are you going to make, bread?
Milling your own flour at home can be a rewarding way to ensure the freshness and quality of your baking ingredients. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
### **1. Choose Your Grains**
- **Types of Grains:** Decide which type of grain you want to mill. Common choices include wheat (hard or soft), rye, corn, or other specialty grains like spelt or barley.
- **Grain Quality:** Ensure the grains you purchase are fresh and high quality, as this will affect the taste and texture of your flour.
### **2. Select a Milling Method**
You have a few options for milling grains at home:
- **Grain Mill:** This is the most efficient and consistent method. There are several types of grain mills:
- **Electric Grain Mills:** These are convenient and quick, ideal for frequent use. They come in various sizes and price ranges.
- **Manual Grain Mills:** Operated by hand, these mills can be more affordable and don’t require electricity but can be labor-intensive.
- **Blenders or Food Processors:** For small quantities or occasional use, a high-powered blender or food processor can also be used, though they may not produce as fine a flour as dedicated mills.
### **3. Prepare Your Equipment**
- **Clean Your Mill:** Make sure your grain mill, blender, or food processor is clean and dry before use to avoid contamination and ensure optimal performance.
- **Adjust Settings:** If using a grain mill, adjust it to your desired coarseness or fineness. Most mills allow you to control the texture of the flour, from coarse to very fine.
### **4. Milling the Grain**
- **Load the Grain:** Pour the grains into the mill or blender according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For manual mills, you may need to feed the grain slowly while turning the handle.
- **Mill the Grain:** Start milling. If using an electric mill, it will do the work for you. For manual mills, turn the handle steadily to grind the grain. In a blender or food processor, pulse the grain until you achieve the desired consistency.
- **Check Consistency:** Periodically check the flour’s consistency. If necessary, re-mill to achieve a finer texture.
### **5. Store Your Flour**
- **Cool and Dry Storage:** Store your freshly milled flour in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Freshly milled flour can be stored for up to a few weeks at room temperature but is best used within a few days for optimal freshness.
- **Refrigeration or Freezing:** For longer storage, consider refrigerating or freezing the flour. This helps preserve the flavor and prevent spoilage, especially if you have milled large quantities.
### **6. Clean Up**
- **Clean the Equipment:** After milling, thoroughly clean your grain mill, blender, or food processor to remove any residual flour. Follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions to avoid any build-up or contamination.
### **Tips:**
- **Experiment with Different Grains:** Try milling different types of grains to find what works best for your recipes.
- **Check for Residual Chaff:** Sometimes, milling can leave small bits of chaff in the flour. Sift the flour if needed to remove any unwanted particles.
- **Test Flour Texture:** Experiment with different fineness levels to match the needs of your recipes.
By milling your own flour, you can enjoy fresher, more flavorful flour with the added benefit of controlling the texture and quality of your baking ingredients.
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- tcalo
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Fresh bread is the BEST!!! I knead by hand, but have used a kitchen-aid mixer in the past. I have an artisan bread recipe that calls for just a quick mix of the ingredients. No kneading, just stretch and fold over several hours. Honestly, one of the best loaves I've ever made.waytomany?s wrote: ↑Fri. Aug. 09, 2024 6:35 pm Can't beat fresh bread. Especially at a big family dinner. Do you do the no knead recipe that was all the rage awhile back?
- tcalo
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Well, the verdict is in. I just made a sandwich loaf with 100% fresh milled wheat. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve read mixed reviews with everything from dense, grainy loaves to unmatched flavor. It was very soft and flavorful. Not over powering with a grainy flavor. Just a tad drier than my all white loaf. I’ve read fresh wheat requires more water and time for it to soak into the flour. Also adding honey makes it moist. Aside from that it came out delicious. The family loves it!!! As mentioned, I did use a cheap coffee grinder to grind the wheat. I had to grind in small batches. The grinder and wheat got hot. I may invest in a heavy duty grinder made for wheat. All in all it’s a win.
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- Sunny Boy
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Congrats. It looks fantastic, Tom !!!!!
Now, if you just had a coal stove to bake it in......
Paul
Now, if you just had a coal stove to bake it in......
Paul