Spelled, despite being a relative of wheat, is not so popular. However, this is an ancient culture and no less useful plant. Let's look at the differences between spelled and wheat, descriptions of plants, their characteristics, chemical composition and beneficial properties of grain. Which products - wheat or spelled - are healthier? What is best to use, when and under what conditions.
What is spelled
Spelled, or emmer, belongs to the cereal family. Type of durum wheat. It is an annual plant with five-flowered spikes with long awns. It is more resistant to drought than wheat and needs less water.Plants do not lie down and are not affected by rust and smut.
There are varieties of membranous emmer, and gymnospermous varieties have also been bred; their grains are easier to separate from the shell. Gymnosperm grains are easier to thresh. On sale you can find whole grain spelt, sprouted, crushed into cereals and flour from it.
Description of wheat
Wheat is one of the main cereal crops. An annual plant with a complex spike. It is divided into hard and soft; spring and winter varieties of crops are grown. The grain is used to produce cereals and flour, baked goods and pasta. Wheat grain is used for animal feed, as a raw material for the production of beer and vodka.
What is the difference?
Wheat produces softer grains and higher yields. But spelled grain contains less gluten, so people who are allergic to gluten can eat dishes made from it without fear. It also contains more certain vitamins and minerals than wheat. Nutrients are distributed more evenly, they are contained not only in the shell, but also in the grain itself, and therefore are not destroyed during cleaning and crushing.
Chemical composition
Spelled grain contains 14.6 g of protein, 2.4 g of fat, 59.5 g of carbohydrates, 10.7 g of fiber. Calorie content of 100 g of product is 338 kcal. 100 g of wheat grains contain 11.8 g of protein, 2.2 g of fat, 59.5 g of carbohydrates, 10.8 g of fiber. The calorie content of wheat cereal is 305 kcal.
Vitamins in wheat grain: B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, E, K and PP, mineral elements: potassium, calcium, silicon, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, chlorine, iron, iodine, cobalt, manganese, copper, molybdenum, selenium and zinc.
Vitamins and mineral elements of spelled: B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, E, K and PP, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, selenium, manganese, copper, zinc.
Which is healthier?
According to nutritionists, spelled is more beneficial for the body. It retains more nutrients, which all enter the body. Products made from it are recommended to combat excess weight and high cholesterol levels in the blood. It will be useful for people with intense metabolism: children during growth, pregnant women, athletes engaged in physical labor.
The difference between the cultures is that spelled has virtually no gluten, so it is not contraindicated for people with celiac disease. It has more protein, but the same amount of carbohydrates as wheat, so they have the same glycemic index. There is also a difference between cereals in price; spelt, as a less grown crop, is more expensive.
Which product is better to use?
It is recommended to alternate both cereals if there are no contraindications. Of course, if we talk about bread and flour products, then you should definitely choose wheat ones. Spelled flour is coarser; products made from it are tougher and darker.
Wheat and spelled are related plants, the grains of which contain many useful substances necessary for the normal functioning of the body. In many ways they are similar, the difference is in grain density, chemical composition and taste. Flour and cereals are obtained from both, dishes from which are useful for people of any age and gender.
