Do you know the amazing health benefits of Khapli wheat? Do you know that emmer wheat is rich in fibre? Are you interested to know more about khapli wheat? Let’s get started…
Wheat is a highly nutritive cereal grain and a worldwide staple food. Enriched Wheat is a good source of fibre,iron,thiamine,niacin,calcium,vitamin B6 and other nutrients. Many varieties of wheat are available in the market with their own nutritional values.
KHAPLI WHEAT – HISTORY
Khapli wheat is also called as Samba wheat or emmer wheat or long wheat. Khapli wheat is an ancient variety of diccocum wheat is long and reddish in colour. It has low glycemic index due its high fiber content.
Three species of wheat namely bread wheat,macaroni(or durum wheat), khapli (or emmer) wheat are grown in the Indian subcontinents since ancient days. When compared to other wheat, Khapli wheat has low glycemic index and rich in fibre,proteins,vitamins and minerals.
Khapli is mainly grown in hilly areas of Asia. In India, It is grown in rural areas of Karnataka, southern Maharashtra, parts of Tamilnadu, Andra Pradesh and coastal Gujarat.Khapli grains are elegantly long, like basmathi,compared to the plumpy modern wheat.
MEDICINAL VALUES OF KHAPLI WHEAT
Khapli is found to have curative properties for treating diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Its capacity to lower blood glucose and lipid levels and high temperature stress tolerance compared to other cultivated species has enabled biologists to identify its therapeutic value.
Khapli can reduce the fasting sugar level and aids in weight loss.
Khapli is rich in proteins and fibre keeps you feel fuller for a longer time.
It is easy to digest and boost your energy levels.
The husk remains tightly adhered to the grain even after harvest and it can be separated only by pounding. And hence the name Khapli was given to this wheat.
The cultivation of Khapli wheat has received a boost in Italy and other European countries because it was discovered to prevent colon cancer due to its high fibre content when compared to the other wheats.
Taking kaphli wheat boost cell functioning, strengthens bone density and promotes dental health.
Vitamin B3 present in kaphli wheat provides arthritis relief and reduces the cholesterol level.
HOW TO USE KAPHLI WHEAT?
Wash the kaphli wheat and keep it in a cloth bag. Sprinkle some water on the bag and within a day or two it will start germinating.
Use the soaked or germinated wheat to prepare Khichri(use vegetables,dal,spices), kheer/porridge,upma(follow the usual recipes).Germination makes this wheat more suitable for people with a celiac disorder or gluten sensitivity.
You can follow the usual recipe and use kaphli wheat flour to make roti,paratha,poori,dosa,pancake,cake and bread(due to less gluten content,cake and bread may not be very fluffy like normal wheat.)
You can also mix kaphli wheat flour with normal wheat(homemade flour) and prepare soft chapathi.
TAKE AWAY
Khapli wheat is a classical food coming back to our modern life and gaining popularity nowadays for its health benefits. Include it in your balanced diet. Have it in moderation and enjoy its health benefits.