Peoples and plants: Gluten-free buckwheat serves many purposes

Kelley Rawlsky, Broomfield Enterprise, Colo.
·3 min read

Mar. 7—Buckwheat.

When I think of the word buckwheat, three things come to mind: The Little Rascals, pancakes and soba noodles. As much as I enjoyed that delightful television series, it has very little to do with people and plants. We'll be looking at this tiny grain and its potential health benefits.

Buckwheat is an ancient grain and has been grown in America since the colonial times. During that period, it was grown mainly for livestock feed and buckwheat flour. In the 1970s, popularity of the grain increased due to folks' desire to have prepared breakfast cereals and because of increased exports to Japan for making soba noodles. Today, it is mainly grown for human consumption. hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/buckwheat.html.

One would think that this plant would be part of the wheat family, but it's not. It's entirely gluten-free. It is used in various cuisines throughout the world. In addition to the soba noodle, the French have a buckwheat "galette" and the Italians a "pizzoccheri." There is also a classic Russian "blini" which is used as a delivery system for caviar. magazine.wsu.edu/2014/01/30/what-about-buckwheat/.

Buckwheat is not only a food source for humans and livestock, it is popular with many insects. Beekeepers like this plant due to its long flowering period. Many beneficial insects, including pollinators, are drawn to it. Individuals wishing to attract more wildlife to their yard may plant buckwheat, as it provides seed for birds and small mammals. extension.missouri.edu/publications/g4163.

Another interesting use for buckwheat is for stuffing pillows. I have actually made some meditation cushions using buckwheat. They are incredibly comfortable for long sitting periods.

Buckwheat is not only a versatile crop, but the health benefits for regular consumption are equally impressive. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health discusses the benefits of whole grains. Consuming whole grains can lower total cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin levels. Some cancer studies, but not all, show a protective effect of eating whole grains. Due to the fiber content in whole grains, digestive health is also supported. www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/whole-grains/.

You can grow buckwheat here in Colorado, but I have only done so as a cover crop in the fall. For more information on fall cover crops: www.broomfieldenterprise.com/2020/09/26/people-and-plants-cover-crops-can-work-wonders-for-health-of-soil/.

If you want to try your hand at making homemade buckwheat pancakes, Colorado State University has a recipe: chhs.source.colostate.edu/recipe-buckwheat-pancakes/.

If you are feeling particularly ambitious, you might try the soba noodles: magazine.wsu.edu/web-extra/recipe-sonoko-sakais-nihachi-soba-noodles/.

Arianna Kelley Rawlsky has an M.S. in horticulture and is the director of Bringing People and Plants Together, an organization dedicated to bringing horticulture education and therapy to the community. For more information: PeopleAndPlantsTogether@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook.