February 5, 2010 - 10:37am
REAL Organic Wheat
I'd like to get back to making my own bread.However I require that the wheat be true organic due to allergies to chemicals .I had been using Wheat Montana until they changed some years back.As far as I could determine they added a mold inhibiter.Other sources may use pesticides in storage or shipping.It's also tough to have to buy large amounts to test it. Many of the chemicals will penetrate packaging .A plastic bag is no deterent to these chemicals. I've got many years experience baking and have a mill , all I need is pure wheat. Do any of you have the problem and can help me ?
Share
Bulk bin at the local health food store or co-op?
Mete- I just sent you a private message regarding our wheat.
Wheat Montana does NOT grow organic grains despite what their advertising may lead you to believe. They fertilize with chemicals.
Here is where I get my wonderful organic product:
http://www.organicwheatproducts.com/
Jeff
Thanks Jeff- We grow certified organic grains and I can guarantee you that they have never come in contact with any type of chemicals. Our hard red spring wheat makes great bread. We also grow a legume that produces a lot of nitrogen in the root nodules so we can produce nitrogen without using poison such as anhydrous ammonia. Nitrogen helps the plant to make protein which is what you want in wheat as it helps the bread to rise.
She posts here frequently. You can read one of her posts here. Her products are certified organic and other TFL posters speak highly of the quality of her grain.
You might also want to investigate Janzen Family Farms or Soaring Eagle Farms. I haven't done business with either, so can't offer first-hand observations about their products or services. Both are in the KC area.
I hope that helps.
Paul
I'm extremely curious about your allergies. Are there any special 'families' of chemicals that you are allergic to? [My interest is purely 'medical'.]
I live in Japan, where bromine-containing bleach (or 'flour-ager') has been outlawed for about 50 years, yet it's virtually impossible to buy unbleached flour! [They are using "approved" bleaching chemicals, of course!]
I'd be happy to hear from you if you have any extra details. Sorry I can't help with suppliers of wheat berries.
Cheers,
copyu
Copyu, as I get older the number of things I'm allergic to increases but the number of chemicals is increasing even more . Pesticides seem to be the biggest problem yet they are everywhere.
While there are growers who do grow organically ,once the product gets out of the field chemicals may be added in storage and shipping which even the certifying agencies can't control. I recently lost a good range fed beef source .But they use a commercial slaughterhouse and freezer over which they have no control. A recent test of an almond grower [right from farm to me] showed it wasn't safe.Every store uses pesticide and that's why you never see insects there. Packaging other than glass or metal offers little protection especially since more of the pesticides [printing inks too !!] use a carrier .The carrier may make for a more efficient pesticide but the carrier takes the pesticide right through paper, cardboard and most plastics and even your skin ! There have been a long, long list of "organic foods " that gave me an allergic reaction because of the wide use of these chemicals.
I can only ask for 'reliable' sources and try their product.
The organic standards of the USDA would not allow for a company that uses non-organic materials in the growing/storing/processing or their goods. If a company claims to be organic, and is not certified by the USDA....well thats just not legal. foor must be 97%?(not 100% sure on this atm) organic to recieve the seal.
If you want true organic goods, the must have the USDA seal on them.
look for the seal!!!!
She grows and mills her own grains, as far as I know, and I am sure she would be happy to discuss the process with you. I have bought from her several times.
You referred to testing foods for allergens -- I wonder if you would mind sharing with me how/where you do that. My toddler son is severely allergic to nuts (anaphylaxis), and in some cases I cannot establish with 100% certainty that a food is safe for him. If am almost sure, but not 100% sure, right now the only way for me to establish that is to "test" it on him, i.e. give it to him and have EpiPen handy. If there is a less risky alternative, I would love to know about it. Please feel free to contact me directly as this is not really a bread-baking related question. Thank you in advance!
Oh, and @MattH. I truly hope that neither you nor anyone in your family have to deal with allergies, but for those who do, bulk bins are not safe to buy from. Bulk bins are often not cleaned properly before different products are put in them. Also, people often use wrong scoops to get their products, so that contents of the bulk bins become cross-contaminated with substances unknown to the customer. If you do not have allergies, it would not matter, but if you do, it matters very much.
Best wishes,
Kroha
www.organicwheatproducts.com works for me !! Now back to bread making !