Whole Grain Bread

Whole grain bread is made from coarsely ground grain kernels which are not as fine as the conventional flour. However, almost all whole grain breads use some amount of refined flour although their quantity remains limited. Breads that get to be baked according to the conventional whole grain bread recipe have a dense texture and are dark in color. They also have a slightly bitter taste as the grains remain unbroken or are partially broken. Some commercial breads are colored with the aid of molasses or food coloring and sold as whole grain bread loaves.

Checking out the ingredients and nutritive value on the wrapper is mandatory when buying whole grain breads from commercial outlets. Whole wheat is the most favored ingredient of the whole grain bread.

Other grains that are often recommended by the whole grain bread recipe consist of barley, oats, rye, bulgur and millet. Several lesser known grains can be added during the baking process as well. One of the advantages of the whole grain bread is its gluten free property which makes it convenient for people suffering from wheat allergy. However, most whole grain breads also use some refined flour as it helps in binding the bread together.

 

History Of The Whole Grain Bread Recipe

The earliest form of whole grain breads can be traced back to 5000 B.C. when primitive men experimented with the grains by fashioning crude breads out of them. The Egyptians mastered the technique of making breads out of wheat and barley, the commonly available grains in the area. The Romans formulated the process of grinding the coarse grains into a fine powder later on. The earliest breads were all different types of whole grain bread as the process pertaining to the refining of flour was developed in the 18th century.

 

Ingredients And Popular Whole Grain Bread Recipe

Whole grain breads require the usual ingredients like dough and water along with a fermenting agent for baking it. The whole grain bread may be made out of a single grain or contain a mixture of different grains. The commonest whole grain bread recipe often includes an addition of sweetening agents, nuts and fruits that help in enhancing the taste and flavor of the bread.

Some of the popular varieties of the whole grain bread are:-

• Whole Wheat Bread- Prepared from whole wheat flour mixed with bread flour and flavored with honey.

• Seven Grain Bread- Contains the seven grain cereal, sugar and powdered milk.

• Irish Bread- Made from a combination of whole wheat flour and white flour, it is softened with buttermilk.

• Seed Bread- A variety of seeds including sesame seeds, flax and poppy seeds are baked into the bread made of whole grain flour.

• Rye Bread- Baked with a combination of flours obtained from rye.

 

Nutritional Values Of Whole Grain Bread

Health experts recommend eating the whole grain bread instead of the white bread as the former is considered to be more nutritious. Apart from vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers, the whole grain bread also contains lignans, antioxidants and phenolic acids which help to reduce the risk of heart ailments and cancer.

 

Whole Grain Bread: Trivia

Whole grain bread made of oats is consumed on October 29th which is celebrated as the National Oatmeal Day.