If you're new to buckwheat, it
can seem like a confusing little nugget because it is not a grain or a grass
but rather technically known as a "pseudo-grain." Therefore, it can
never cross-pollinate with anything containing gluten. Hooray! Despite the
glaring term "wheat" in its name, it's always gluten-free as long as
it is processed in a facility that is also gluten-free. Buckwheat has long been
used for Japanese noodles and Russian porridge. It is grown and consumed
worldwide. It is full of protein and fiber, making it excellent for those
following special diets, including vegans. That brings us to baking. With a
pronounced complex earthy and floral flavor profile that couples well in both
sweet and savory baking applications, it is destined to become one of the most
elegant and sophisticated flours to add to your baking products. It is one of
the most exciting whole grain flour to use in baking.
Buckwheat in Baking
Flavor
Factors
Tastes
are impacted dramatically by the addition of buckwheat flour to baked goods and
the choice of the variety of buckwheat flour.
·
HulledBuckwheat Flour variety: The
dark hull has been removed before milling. Most bakers prefer it because of its
milder, less bitter nature. The flavor is slightly earthy with delicate grassy
notes and hints of floral.
·
Unhulled
Buckwheat Flour varieties:
The dark hull has been included
in the milling process. These have slightly bitter assertive notes and are
usually combined with other mild-tasting flours. They are most notedly used in
French Buckwheat Crepes.
Applications:
- In sweet applications,
buckwheat pairs well with nuts, caramel, cocoa, and deep rich flavors.
- In savory applications,
buckwheat pairs well with complex cheeses, herbs, cured meats, and dairy.
Texture
factors
It
seems pretty apparent to the seasoned baker when baking with buckwheat, but
we'll point it out. It is gluten-free. Here are a few other things to be aware
of with texture.
- Bread: Buckwheat
loaves of bread are not as light and fluffy as wheat loaves of bread due
to a lack of gluten and may need the addition of xanthan, tapioca flour, or
guar gum to achieve additional texture.
- Muffins and quick bread: Light buckwheat
flour is preferred in vanilla or golden-colored cookies and cakes.
Buckwheat adds moistness to cakes and tenderness to cookies and bars.
- Possible Problems: Some quick bread and
muffins can become "gummy" if larger amounts of buckwheat are
used—test the recipe before converting to 100% buckwheat.
Color
of Buckwheat Flours
- Hulled Buckwheat flour has
a lovely light brown color that will show up in the final baked good.
- Unhulled Buckwheat flour
will be a light grey and finished baked goods will keep that distinct
color like rye. Like rye, one will need to add molasses or cocoa to
batters or doughs if the desired finished bake is expected to be a rich
golden brown.
Start
baking with buckwheat
Ready
to start baking with it now?
- Cakes cookies and quick
bread: Start
with 25%. Again, because of the lack of gluten and the possible downfalls
of buckwheat's nature, we suggest you start by substituting 25% buckwheat
flour for the wheat flour in non-yeast bread or yeasted recipes like a
muffin or cookie.
- Bread: Start with 15%.
Adding whole-grain flour will change the formulation, and gluten-free
flour is a little finicky. The general rule is to increase the hydration
by 10% when adding that 15% if using whole grain buckwheat.
- Check baking temperatures: Because the color of
the dough is different from buckwheat, always test the internal
temperature of baked goods. Bread should be 185°F or higher. Batter
products will vary but generally should be over 170°.
Buckwheat Brownies
Bake
Time: 30-35 minutes
Ingredients
½
cup organic avocado oil
1 ½
cup organic cane sugar
2
tsp. vanilla
4
eggs or vegan alternative
1
Tbsp. dark corn syrup or blackstrap molasses
2
cups Organic Grains Buckwheat Flour
¾
cup organic dark cocoa powder
½
tsp. non-aluminum baking powder
1
tsp. sea salt
Directions
- Wash and sanitize all work
surfaces and tools—Preheat the oven to 350°.
- In a medium mixing bowl,
mix the oil, sugar, vanilla, eggs, and syrup until the sugar dissolves,
about 4 minutes. Add the flour, cocoa, and salt, mixing for 2 minutes.
Allow batter to rest for about 5 minutes.
- Spread into a lightly
greased bar pan (8x8x2 inch). Bake 30-35 minutes until an internal
temperature of 150° or higher.
- Cool the brownies in the
pan for at least 30 minutes before cutting, allowing them to set up.
Buckwheat Pancakes
Bake
Time: 15-18 minutes
Ingredients
1
cup Organic Grains Buckwheat Flour
1
Tbsp. sugar
1
tsp. baking powder
¼
tsp. salt
1¼
cups milk
1
large egg, beaten
Directions
- Whisk buckwheat flour,
sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
- Beat egg and milk together
in a bowl. Add the dry ingredients and whisk until the batter is thick and
smooth. Let batter rest for at least 5 minutes before cooking.
- Drop batter by large
spoonful onto the greased griddle and cook until bubbles form and the
edges are dry for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the other
side, 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Vegan & Gluten-Free Bread
Bake
Time: 45-55 minutes
Ingredients
2
2/3 cups Organic Grains Buckwheat Flour
3
Tbsp. Organic Grains White Chia Seeds
1
cup Organic Grains Tapioca Flour
¼
cup sugar
½
tsp. salt
2
¼ tsp. instant yeast (1 packet)
¼
cup olive oil
2
Tbsp. maple syrup
1
¼ cup of water between 100-105° F
Directions
- Grind the chia seed into flour
using a high-speed blender.
- Using an electric mixer
with the paddle attachment, combine the buckwheat flour, chia flour,
tapioca starch, organic cane sugar, and salt. Mix in the instant yeast.
Add the olive oil, maple syrup, and warm water. Mix on low for about 15
seconds. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Continue
mixing on medium-high for about 3 minutes.
- Use a spatula to group the
dough together in a ball at the bottom of the mixing bowl. Pour about two
teaspoons of additional olive oil on top of the dough. This will help you
continue to form the round loaf without the dough sticking to the spatula
(or your hands).
- Carefully remove the dough
from the mixing bowl and onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use your
hands to form the dough into a round/oblong loaf. Cover loosely with
plastic wrap and rise for 3 hours at 75°. Score the top of the loaf with a
sharp kitchen knife or a razor blade.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
When the loaf is finished rising, bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the
internal temperature of the loaf reaches over 180°F.
There you go! Make some amazing gluten-free buckwheat flour stuff. I'm cheering for you 100%.
Always My Very Best,
Your Friend, Chef Tess
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