What is buckwheat?

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Buckwheat is a type of plant is is cultivated for its seeds that are typically used in baking.  Despite its name, buckwheat is not  part of the wheat family.  Many people also refer to buckwheat as a type of grain because it is often mixed with other similar products.  The seeds from the buckwheat plant are harvested and processed to become part of various baking supplies.  In most preparations, its dark color is given by the seed husks that are left behind during processing.  Most people will find buckwheat as part of the ingredients for flour and other similar baking products.  Some people also produce flour by processing 100% buckwheat and this is typically used in the making of noodles or crepes for example.

Buckwheat that is sold in stores may come in whole or cracked form and it  may be readily used for mixing with cereals.  Some people also use “buckwheat flour” to add a nutty flavor to breads and pastries.  The nutty flavor provided by buckwheat  may also be used when its flour is mixed with standard flour for making waffles and pancakes.  Other countries like Japan for example use buckwheat flour to create noodles.  The same flour may also be used to be part of animal feeds.  Being a plant with big leaves, the buckwheat plant is also often used as a type of cover crop that helps protect the soil from unwanted weed growth. The buckwheat plant also produces flowers which are helpful to beekeepers in terms of providing food for the bees and helping support the production of honey.

In terms of nutrition and health, buckwheat is labelled as a healthy option because of its fiber content.  Buckwheat is also rich in protein in the form of valuable amino acids like lysine, threonine, and tryptophan.  Buckwheat seeds also contain a healthy dose of iron, zinc, and several anti-oxidants among others. These nutritional components make buckwheat a very healthy ingredient and food source.

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