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what is Kester Buckwheat?

keriann's picture
keriann

what is Kester Buckwheat?

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what "Kester buckwheat flour" is?

I am living in Northwest China (near Kazakstan). Recently, in a desperate attempt to find whole grains of any kind, I bought a little of every kind of flour our supermarket stocks. When I got home I set about translating the names on the bags (my Chinese isn't good enough to read it at the store). Turns out I had bought oat flour, sorghum flour, buckwheat flour, and "Kester buckwheat flour". For anyone that can read Chinese, the Chinese name was 散称凯斯特荞麦面. The flour is a creamy white color without much in the way of specks (the regular buckwheat flour has more brown specks and is a slightly darker color).

I've tried searching the internet and can't find any information about Kester buckwheat. Also, if anyone has suggestions of recipes that work well with any of these flours, I'd enjoy giving them a try! Thanks!

JeremyCherfas's picture
JeremyCherfas

I know nothing about chinese, but I do know that there are two species of Fagopyrum called buckwheat. Could this one be the less common Tartary Buckwheat?

keriann's picture
keriann

I also have heard of Tartary Buckwheat, I hadn't thought of the possibility of the flour being Tartary buckwheat, but I know there is a part of China where it is quite common... Thanks for the suggestion!

keriann's picture
keriann

After you suggested it might be Tartary buckwheat I went and checked the package of Tartary Buckwheat Tea that I have, but the Chinese name on it translates as "Bitter buckwheat" so I think it must be something different... Thanks for the idea, though.

JeremyCherfas's picture
JeremyCherfas

I asked a colleague in China. This is his reply:

"I think it is general buckwheat flour processed by Kester company, which is a company specialized in the business on grains such as rice and products of minor crops such as buckwheat. The company is based in Wulumuqi, Xinjiang in northwest of China. Therefore, it is a trading name of buckwheat flour product by the company."

Hope that helps

Jeremy

keriann's picture
keriann

Thanks for your help! That is very helpful!