Instructions for buyers: how to choose buckwheat correctly

Buckwheat is one of the healthiest and most commonly used cereals. It contains many minerals and vitamins, while being easily absorbed and suitable for nutrition at any age. To maximize the beneficial effect, you need to be able to choose the right buckwheat, taking into account its variety and packaging method.

In the article we will tell you how to choose buckwheat and which company makes buckwheat better than others.

Varieties of buckwheat

What is buckwheat? There are two types of cereals on store shelves:

1. The core. It is obtained by grinding buckwheat in large millstones. During this treatment, it is possible to separate the shell from the nutritive part of the seeds.
2. The second type of cereal is called chopped, or done. This is the same unground, but fragmented. After crushing, the section is well sieved. The part that has a larger size goes into the category of "large done", the remaining grains are sold in the category of "small done".

After primary processing, all types of buckwheat are fried or steamed well. The cereals become hard and acquire the usual brown color. Such a product can be used in cooking for the preparation of various dishes. The chaff is only suitable for cooking viscous porridge, and usual - for friable. Both types can be added to cutlets, meatballs and casseroles.

Recently, the third type of cereal - green buckwheat - has begun to gain popularity among buyers. It will appeal to those who prefer a healthy diet and carefully monitor their weight. Green buckwheat is an ordinary kernel that has not gone through the roasting stage. Such a product remains soft, has a green color and completely retains all the nutrients.

Important! Green buckwheat is used for germination, so that it can then be added to cereals and salads. Long-term heat treatment of this cereal leads to the loss of useful properties.

What kind of buckwheat is the most delicious

Regardless of the variety, buckwheat will always have a pleasant natural taste. An exception is made up of batches that were not properly stored or transported.

When they talk about buckwheat varieties, they always mean the kernel, it is divided into three types:

• unground first or highest grade - it is considered the cleanest and most well-processed, it does not contain extra seeds and poorly processed kernels;
• second grade unground - in a package with this cereal, up to 7% of husks, industrial waste and other cereals are allowed;
• unground third grade - is considered the most unclean and may contain up to 10% of foreign impurities in the package.

First class cereals are always better than others. But if you sort out buckwheat with foreign impurities, it will be in no way inferior in its taste to the most elite.

It is interesting:

Is it possible to eat buckwheat with pancreatitis.

The benefits of eating buckwheat with kefir on an empty stomach in the morning.

Rating of the best buckwheat producers

When choosing, buyers ask themselves which manufacturers' buckwheat is the most useful. To find out which manufacturer is the best, the Roskontrol organization conducted a study. Experts have evaluated five brands of buckwheat groats on several indicators.

The results of the experiment are presented in the table.

The most useful was the buckwheat brand "Uvelka". It does not differ in the maximum score according to the criterion of taste, but there are absolutely no unnecessary impurities in it.

Other selection criteria

When buying cereals, it is important to focus not only on the manufacturer and the variety. The batch could have been stored incorrectly or underwent incomplete technological processing, therefore, when choosing buckwheat, you should pay attention to packaging, smell and taste, and appearance.

Packaging

As a rule, buckwheat, regardless of the variety and brand, is sold in cellophane bags. Such packaging protects well against moisture and dampness. Be sure to inspect the package for tears, holes or other damage before purchasing.

Good cereals should not contain foreign impurities. It is desirable that the nucleoli have the same size and color - this indicates the quality of roasting and sorting.

Important! Pay attention to the net weight on the package. Often varieties of the same quality are sold at the same price, but differ in the filling of the package.

Appearance

The processed groats have a pleasant brown color of varying intensity. This color indicates that the buckwheat was steamed. This product boils down quickly and is suitable for making crumbly cereals. But steamed nucleoli retain few useful substances, so they should not be bought for baby or diet food.

Unsteamed groats are characterized by a pale creamy hue that gives off greenish or yellowish. It is brewed longer than steamed, but it retains much more nutrients in the composition. High-quality kernels are as close as possible to each other in color, the edges of the grains are lighter than the center.

Attention! If the color of the cereal is deep brown with a red tint, you should not buy such a product. It has been intensively roasted and contains nothing useful. The edges of such nucleoli are darker than the center.

Taste and smell

These are the main selection criteria for the buyer. High-quality buckwheat should not emit the smell of mold, dampness, chemicals and fungi - this indicates improper storage, poor processing and low quality of raw materials.

Cooked kernels should not be bitter or sour. Such grains are infected with microorganisms dangerous to humans and can cause poisoning.

Buyers Tips

When choosing buckwheat and using it, use the recommendations of experienced housewives:

• do not believe the inscriptions "premium" and "extra" on the packaging, this is nothing more than an advertising move by the manufacturer;
• even when buying buckwheat of the highest and first grades, it is better to rinse the nucleoli, since it is not known what dust settled on them before entering the bag;
• be careful with small producers, they often save on equipment and buckwheat is fried, not steamed;
• the maximum shelf life of the kernel is 20 months, but due to errors in the transportation and contents of the container, it may be reduced;
• during a hot period, protect the product from moths and bugs;
• porridge is boiled in a ratio of cereals to water 1: 2, buckwheat swells quickly, it is not recommended to stir it;
• the unground goes best with fish dishes and vegetables;
• after boiling water, it is recommended to hold the cereal for another 30 minutes under the lid;
• boil porridge only over low heat.

In order not to reduce the shelf life of buckwheat, do not store it at home in an opened bag. Pour the cereals into an airtight jar, preferably a glass one. Then insects and harmful microorganisms will not get into the product.

Read also:

What the body lacks if you constantly want buckwheat.

How to properly spend a fasting day on buckwheat and kefir and how much you can lose weight on such a diet.

The benefits and harms of buckwheat for human health.

Reviews about buckwheat

Customer reviews of cereals from different manufacturers will help you choose the type of buckwheat that will satisfy your needs 100%.

Julia: «We have been buying the Uvelka brand for more than one year. During use, there was not a single extra speck. At the same time, cereals are always tasty and aromatic. I like that cereals are sold in small portioned bags that are put in paper packaging.There is no unpleasant smell during cooking, the taste is pleasant, without a chemical aftertaste. "

Anastasia: “I prefer Makfa products. In general, very good buckwheat. It is almost impossible to find unnecessary impurities in it, although sometimes they are. During cooking, the porridge does not boil over and does not smell of anything unpleasant. Good for adding to cutlets. But I really do not like the packaging, after opening it quickly breaks, everything has to be poured. "

Ilmira: “For me, green buckwheat“ Benefit to Everyone ”was a discovery. Of course, it is not at all suitable for cooking, frying or stewing. Its main goal is to enrich the body with minerals and vitamins. Buckwheat is eaten in a germinated form. The packaging is made of paper, so I recommend pouring the cereals into a more reliable container. Sprouted nucleoli have a specific taste, and not everyone will like it ”.

Conclusion

Buying high-quality buckwheat is the basis for the health of a family and loved ones. This familiar product may vary in quality and flavor. Carefully check each pack of cereals - this is the only way to get really healthy and rich in vitamins buckwheat, which will have a classic aroma and color.