I Tried Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat Flour — Here's Why It Deserves A Spot In Your Pantry

  

I Tried Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat Flour — Here's Why It Deserves A Spot In Your Pantry

At mindbodygreen, we're always on the lookout for new super-nutritious ingredients to add to our arsenal. We are fortunate to collaborate with so many informed specialists who are continually on the cutting edge of nutrition advancements and discoveries, such as Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D., the creator of Big Bold Health and the "Father of Functional Medicine."

I deal with Bland and his team on a regular basis as mbg's health director, and I'm always interested in hearing his thoughts on a variety of health and well-being concerns. So I was fascinated when I first heard him talk about a new "super ingredient" he's working on. Himalayan Tartary buckwheat is the star dish.

What is Himalayan Tartary buckwheat?

The Himalayan Tartary buckwheat (or HTB for short) is a buckwheat plant's brother. Contrary to popular belief, this crop is a seed, not a grain, and it's related to the rhubarb and sorrel families of vegetables rather than wheat. It's gluten-free, high in phytonutrients, and full of vitamins and minerals as a result. "It's strong incomplete proteins and prebiotic fiber, both of which are important for a healthy microbiota," Bland explains to mindbodygreen. In fact, it contains twice the protein content of quinoa.

HTB, on the other hand, is notable for its tenacity and capacity to thrive in the face of adversity. According to Bland, "Himalayan Tartary buckwheat has been used in the Chinese cuisine for millennia." "It's a plant that has adapted to the difficult growing conditions of the Himalayan mountain valleys. It was able to survive by creating a variety of unique chemicals that served as the plant's stress-fighting immune system."

According to Bland, HTB has a little bitter taste, which is an indicator of its benefits. He continues, "A hardy plant creates the tools it requires to live under severe environments," such as bitterness. "And whoever consumes those phytonutrients reaps significant benefits."

Benefits of HTB

This buckwheat species has an outstanding nutritional profile, which is why Bland refers to it as a "nutrition powerhouse." Here are a few standout features of this one-of-a-kind super-plant for me:

It has immune-supporting properties.

HTB has a lot of quercetin, a phytonutrient that has a lot of benefits, including supporting immunological health and reducing inflammation, according to a study.

It may promote brain health.

Rutin is another powerful antioxidant found in HTB. This phytonutrient may protect against neurodegenerative illnesses by battling free radicals and oxidative stress, according to research. HTB also has 50 times more rutin than ordinary buckwheat.

It's full of important vitamins and minerals.

As previously stated, HTB is chock-full of essential nutrients. Magnesium, B vitamins (B1, B2, and B6), and zinc are among them.

D-chiro-inositol, a chemical important in blood sugar regulation and hormone balance in human bodies, is also found in this one-of-a-kind plant.

My experience with HTB flour

I was very excited to try Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat after hearing Bland speak so highly of it and seeing some of the studies supporting this unique nutrient powerhouse. So I was ecstatic when Bland's colleagues at Big Bold Health sent me a sample of their new Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat Super Nutrition Flour.

This small-batch artisanal flour is milled and packaged in upstate New York, and it's the first-ever certified organic Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat harvest farmed in the United States. As previously said, part of the reason for this buckwheat's high nutrient content is due to its hard growth conditions, which is why Big Bold Health carefully partnered with a co-op of farmers headquartered in colder regions.

I instantly looked into other methods to use this novel ingredient once the two-pound bags of this unique flour arrived at my door—packaged oh-so-nicely and secured with a tight weave of red string. I chose buckwheat pancakes (from Mark Hyman, M.D.) as my first trial run after receiving an array of delicious-sounding recipes from the Big Bold Health team. These simple pancakes were packed with some of my favorite ingredients and spices, and I liked topping them with berries and a nut butter drizzle for more flavor, texture, and benefits. I also attempted a recipe for almond & Tartary buckwheat muffins, which turned out to be an excellent meal-prep choice that provided me with healthy snacks for days.

The verdict: Both of these healthy recipes were delicious, and I would prepare them again in a heartbeat. They had a rich, meaty flavor and were great to have to start the day or to gain a nutritional boost in the middle of the day. I was quite impressed by how full I felt for hours after eating these meals, without the unpleasant symptoms of a blood sugar rise or crash, as someone who is intensely aware of how various foods affect my energy levels, focus, and overall sense of well-being.

Unlike certain gluten-free flours, which can become dense when used in baking, the HTB flour kept a light, fluffy texture in these classic meals. Plus, the pancakes had a lovely deep red tint to them, which gave a bit of visual delight to the whole thing. To balance out the mild bitterness of the HTB flour, both of these recipes use a combination of almond flour and Himalayan Tartary buckwheat.

Interested in giving Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat Super Nutrition Flour a try? Sign up to receive a 50% off coupon for flour as well as eight free recipes (including the pancake and muffin recipes I mentioned!).

After trying it for myself, I'm excited to see how many different ways I can include this powerful ingredient into my own cooking and make it a more regular part of my well-being routine. Because, as Bland explained to mbg previously: "Superfoods, in my opinion, are nature's delivery mechanism for the proper macronutrient balance as well as a potent blend of micro-and phytonutrients. A great superfood should cover all the basics, and Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat does just that."