Comments on: Is Einkorn Flour Gluten Free? http://www.einkorn.com/is-einkorn-flour-gluten-free/ Restoring Ancient Whole Grain Einkorn Wheat to Our Modern Diets Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:03:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Stan Ness http://www.einkorn.com/is-einkorn-flour-gluten-free/comment-page-1/#comment-90314 Stan Ness Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:38:49 +0000 http://www.einkorn.com/?p=157#comment-90314 Hi Trace, Sorry I've been putting off trying to address your question since the answer is not a simple one. Wheat, Corn (Maize), Einkorn and all true grains are types of grasses. So, they all rely on the wind for pollination and it really depends on the variety of grass as to how susceptible it is to (1) cross-pollination and then (2) successful hybridization. First, a Colorado State Ag study showed that the maximum cross-pollination rate at 200 ft. for one set of wheat varieties, was 1 in 10,000. Wheat pollen only remains viable for a short time, I think a few hours depending on the weather, so timing would also play into this. In order for a cross-pollination event to result in a successful (fertile) seed being developed, the genome types would need to be compatible. Generally, a hexaploid (6 sets of chromosomes) like common (or GMO) wheat will not successfully fertilize a diploid (2 sets of chromosomes) like Einkorn. The chances of this occurring naturally are pretty slim, plant breeder have to work at making new varieties of wheat or other grains. The exception to that may be corn (maize), since the pollen is produced at the top of very large stalks and in much greater amounts. Well, that's my take on the topic, if anyone else has better information, please chime in. Hi Trace,

Sorry I’ve been putting off trying to address your question since the answer is not a simple one. Wheat, Corn (Maize), Einkorn and all true grains are types of grasses. So, they all rely on the wind for pollination and it really depends on the variety of grass as to how susceptible it is to (1) cross-pollination and then (2) successful hybridization. First, a Colorado State Ag study showed that the maximum cross-pollination rate at 200 ft. for one set of wheat varieties, was 1 in 10,000. Wheat pollen only remains viable for a short time, I think a few hours depending on the weather, so timing would also play into this. In order for a cross-pollination event to result in a successful (fertile) seed being developed, the genome types would need to be compatible. Generally, a hexaploid (6 sets of chromosomes) like common (or GMO) wheat will not successfully fertilize a diploid (2 sets of chromosomes) like Einkorn. The chances of this occurring naturally are pretty slim, plant breeder have to work at making new varieties of wheat or other grains. The exception to that may be corn (maize), since the pollen is produced at the top of very large stalks and in much greater amounts. Well, that’s my take on the topic, if anyone else has better information, please chime in.

]]> By: Tindi Gondan http://www.einkorn.com/is-einkorn-flour-gluten-free/comment-page-1/#comment-90249 Tindi Gondan Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:10:39 +0000 http://www.einkorn.com/?p=157#comment-90249 Jovial's Einkorn pasta products are the best tasting and most nutritious wheat I've ever found and tasted. My 6 year-old's skin (eczema) doesn't react to Einkorn wheat like with the modern wheat varieties of today. I order the pasta by the case and am looking into ordering the flour so that I make my favorite recipes again. Thank you Jovial!! We love you!! USA Jovial’s Einkorn pasta products are the best tasting and most nutritious wheat I’ve ever found and tasted. My 6 year-old’s skin (eczema) doesn’t react to Einkorn wheat like with the modern wheat varieties of today. I order the pasta by the case and am looking into ordering the flour so that I make my favorite recipes again.

Thank you Jovial!! We love you!!

USA

]]> By: Trace http://www.einkorn.com/is-einkorn-flour-gluten-free/comment-page-1/#comment-90235 Trace Mon, 26 Sep 2011 23:40:59 +0000 http://www.einkorn.com/?p=157#comment-90235 Stan, I have an organic homestead and remain unclear on this: Please explain the possiblility that hybridized types of wheat (or corn, etc.) growing within pollinating distance from an ancient wheat crop (Einkorn), may cross the Einkorn and render it changed. I have also wondered if the sterile corn plants were to cross pollinate a conventional corn crop--would the conventional crop seed be sterile? My search today is a result of the Wheat Belly book (Davis) and his assertion on Fox today that wheat has evolved for the worse. Stan,

I have an organic homestead and remain unclear on this: Please explain the possiblility that hybridized types of wheat (or corn, etc.) growing within pollinating distance from an ancient wheat crop (Einkorn), may cross the Einkorn and render it changed.

I have also wondered if the sterile corn plants were to cross pollinate a conventional corn crop–would the conventional crop seed be sterile?

My search today is a result of the Wheat Belly book (Davis) and his assertion on Fox today that wheat has evolved for the worse.

]]> By: Crystal http://www.einkorn.com/is-einkorn-flour-gluten-free/comment-page-1/#comment-89821 Crystal Sat, 29 Jan 2011 03:39:54 +0000 http://www.einkorn.com/?p=157#comment-89821 I have searched for hours, looking for seed. Where do I buy Einkorn seed. I found one site for saving heritage seed, but Einkorn was not available to buy. Are there any sites that offer the seed? I also found one in Canada, but the site did not offer me to order outside of Canada. I have searched for hours, looking for seed. Where do I buy Einkorn seed. I found one site for saving heritage seed, but Einkorn was not available to buy. Are there any sites that offer the seed? I also found one in Canada, but the site did not offer me to order outside of Canada.

]]> By: J. Laughter http://www.einkorn.com/is-einkorn-flour-gluten-free/comment-page-1/#comment-71893 J. Laughter Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:13:39 +0000 http://www.einkorn.com/?p=157#comment-71893 Excuse me...That's www.growseed.org ! Excuse me…That’s http://www.growseed.org !

]]> By: J. Laughter http://www.einkorn.com/is-einkorn-flour-gluten-free/comment-page-1/#comment-71892 J. Laughter Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:12:34 +0000 http://www.einkorn.com/?p=157#comment-71892 Looks like www.growseed.com sells Einkorn berries or flour for $8/lb...May be something I try after my food sensitivity test results are read. Thanks for the info! Looks like http://www.growseed.com sells Einkorn berries or flour for $8/lb…May be something I try after my food sensitivity test results are read. Thanks for the info!

]]> By: Tom http://www.einkorn.com/is-einkorn-flour-gluten-free/comment-page-1/#comment-522 Tom Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:01:31 +0000 http://www.einkorn.com/?p=157#comment-522 Hello, For wheat to go from 14 chromosones to 42 chromosones whether you exploit a natural hybridization processes or a laboratory one the result is the same. The resultant wheat has been gentically modified. To believe all natural hybridization is good because it is natural is like saying all natural hemlock is good because it is natural. The end result is the same whether you get there quickly or slowly. Hello,

For wheat to go from 14 chromosones to 42 chromosones whether you exploit a natural hybridization processes or a laboratory one the result is the same. The resultant wheat has been gentically modified.

To believe all natural hybridization is good because it is natural is like saying all natural hemlock is good because it is natural.

The end result is the same whether you get there quickly or slowly.

]]> By: Stan Ness http://www.einkorn.com/is-einkorn-flour-gluten-free/comment-page-1/#comment-72 Stan Ness Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:37:19 +0000 http://www.einkorn.com/?p=157#comment-72 Very interesting! Thanks for the info. Although I think you meant to spell "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-glucan" rel="nofollow">beta-glucans</a>" instead of "beta-gluten". Very interesting! Thanks for the info. Although I think you meant to spell “beta-glucans” instead of “beta-gluten”.

]]> By: Stan Ness http://www.einkorn.com/is-einkorn-flour-gluten-free/comment-page-1/#comment-71 Stan Ness Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:30:53 +0000 http://www.einkorn.com/?p=157#comment-71 Good point with being careful on how we choose our words to avoid confusion. Gene-splicing = artificial genetic modification or genetic engineering, while hybridization = natural genetic modification. But most people associate the use of the term "Genetically Modified" to mean gene-splicing. Would you agree? I'll change the wording of the post to better follow common vernacular. And, thanks for the info on Monsanto. I had thought about mentioning it, but decided to try to work it into a later post. Please keep us updated on that issue. Do you have your seed for planting Einkorn yet? Good point with being careful on how we choose our words to avoid confusion. Gene-splicing = artificial genetic modification or genetic engineering, while hybridization = natural genetic modification. But most people associate the use of the term “Genetically Modified” to mean gene-splicing. Would you agree? I’ll change the wording of the post to better follow common vernacular.
And, thanks for the info on Monsanto. I had thought about mentioning it, but decided to try to work it into a later post. Please keep us updated on that issue. Do you have your seed for planting Einkorn yet?

]]> By: Erick Smith http://www.einkorn.com/is-einkorn-flour-gluten-free/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Erick Smith Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:26:25 +0000 http://www.einkorn.com/?p=157#comment-68 Stan, As an organic grower, I am always looking for new varieties that seem to have promise for both taste and health. You might be interested to know that the University of Idaho has recently developed two varieties of barley that are particularly high in beta-gluten, the component most related to heart health. This was an intentional part of their breeding program, but is also the exception to the rule. However, I entirely agree with you that almost all university-based and industry-based plant breeding programs have focused on yield almost exclusively. And we do know that both taste and nutritional content have suffered as a result. Stan,
As an organic grower, I am always looking for new varieties that seem to have promise for both taste and health. You might be interested to know that the University of Idaho has recently developed two varieties of barley that are particularly high in beta-gluten, the component most related to heart health. This was an intentional part of their breeding program, but is also the exception to the rule. However, I entirely agree with you that almost all university-based and industry-based plant breeding programs have focused on yield almost exclusively. And we do know that both taste and nutritional content have suffered as a result.

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