Hulled buckwheat is the fruit seed of a plant originally from Asia and Northern Europe. It has a unique triangular shape, is gluten free, and can be safely eaten by those with Celiac disease.

Rich in protein, B Vitamins, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, folate, zinc, copper, and manganese. Buckwheat is high in fibre and is a rich source of flavonoids. While many people think that buckwheat is a cereal grain, it is actually a fruit seed. (We classify it as a grain on our website because it categorized as such from a culinary perspective). In order to be edible, the outer hull must be removed, a process that requires special milling equipment due to its unusual shape. Buckwheat is a warming food and is classified by macrobiotics as a yang food. It is great for eating in the cold winter months. Buckwheat contains no gluten and is a viable choice for celiacs, diabetics, and those on grain free and gluten sensitive diets.

Known Benefits

Hulled buckwheat is:

• High in fiber
  • 1 single cup of cooked buckwheat can contain up to 4g of dietary fibre and 8 essential amino acids
• Known to lower blood sugar levels and is beneficial for those with diabetes
• Able to lower blood pressure and reduce cholesterol
• A very rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber
  • 100 g provide 10 g or 26% of daily requirement of fiber
  • Fiber increase bulkiness of the food and helps prevent constipation problems by speeding up bowel movements through the gut
  • Fiber also binds to toxins and aid in their excretion through the gut and thereby help protect colon mucusa from cancers
  • In addition, dietary fibers bind to bile salts (produced from cholesterol) and decrease their re-absorption in the colon, and thus help to lower serum LDL cholesterol level
• Known to contain more B-complex group of vitamins than that of quinoa seeds, especially riboflavin (vitamin B2) and niacin (vitamin B3)
• Hulled buckwheat has a higher concentration of minerals like copper, and magnesium
  • Copper is required for the production of red blood cells
  • Magnesium relaxes blood vessels leading to brain and is found to have curative effects on depression, and headache
• The grain is composed of several polyphenolic antioxidant compounds such as rutin, tannins and catechin
  • Rutin (quercetin rutinoside) is found to have anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties and help prevent platelet clot formation inside the blood vessels

Hulled buckwheat’s beneficial effects are due in part to its rich supply of flavonoids, particularly rutin. Flavonoids are phytonutrients that protect against disease by extending the action of vitamin C and acting as antioxidants. Buckwheat’s lipid-lowering activity is largely due to rutin and other flavonoid compounds. These compounds help maintain blood flow, keep platelets from clotting excessively (platelets are compounds in blood that, when triggered, clump together, thus preventing excessive blood loss, and protect LDL from free radical oxidation into potentially harmful cholesterol oxides. All these actions help to protect against heart disease.

Diets that contain hulled buckwheat have been linked to lowered risk of developing high cholesterol and high blood pressure. High buckwheat intake has been associated with lower total serum cholesterol, lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, the form linked to cardiovascular disease), and a high ratio of HDL (health-promoting cholesterol) to total cholesterol.

Recommended Usage

Like all grains, buckwheat can be cooked with brown rice or mix with other types of grains and cooked together.

Basic cooking instructions:

1. Add 1 cup of hulled buckwheat to 4 cups of boiling water.
2. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until done.

Cooked buckwheat can be added to soups or stews.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Australia
CERTIFIED ORGANIC BY: NOP/OCIA

Nutritional Information

Serving size: 1/4 cup (50 g)
Calories 155 Calories from fat 27

%Daily Value*
Fat 1g 2% Saturated fat 0g 0%, Protein 5g 14%, Total Carbohydrates 33g 25%, Dietary Fiber 11g 44%, Sugars 0g, Cholesterol 0g 0%, Sodium 4mg 0%, Potassium 0%, Vitamin A 6%, Vitamin C 0%, Riboflavin 0%, Riboflavin 0%, Niacin 0%, Calcium 2%, Iron 10%, *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.