Benefits of Fresh Milled Flour

Fresh milled flour offers superior quality in terms of nutrition, taste, texture, customization options while eliminating unnecessary additives found in many store-bought products.

Within the past year I have become very invested in our overall nutrition. One of the biggest factors being the grains we use. Modern day wheat has been altered from the original wheat making modern day wheat nearly unrecognizable to the human body. It seems like everywhere you look you see someone that is gluten intolerant or cannot consumes grains at all. Thankfully that was never our issue but I wanted to take control before it became the reality for my family. So about a year ago I began a deep dive on not only whole grains but also ancient grains and all of their health benefits.

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What is Fresh Milled Flour?

Fresh milled flour is flour that has been ground from whole grains immediately before use, as opposed to pre-packaged and processed flours that have been sitting on store shelves for an extended period of time.

What is a Wheat Berry?

A wheat berry is the entire wheat kernel, including the bran, germ, and endosperm. It is the whole form of wheat before it has been processed or refined into flour.

Hard white wheat berries in a glass canister with a stainless steel scoop.

Different Types of Whole Grains

There are many different types of whole grains, each with their own unique flavors and health benefits. Here are some popular varieties to consider:

Popular Grains

Soft white wheat
Hard red wheat
Hard white wheat
Gold Wheat
Yecora Rojo wheat

Ancient Grains

Einkorn
Khorasan wheat also known as Kamut
Buckwheat
Spelt

Which Grains I Like Best

When it comes to wheat berries I have tried many but I have found three that I have found to be simple to use, have great flavor, and cover all bases when it comes to baking and cooking. My favorites are as listed below:

Hard White Wheat

I use hard white wheat for most of my yeast bread and our everyday sandwich bread. It is easy for beginners. You can substitute 1 for 1 in recipes.

Soft White Wheat

I prefer soft white wheat for all of my baked goods that require using baking powder or baking soda. It is best when baking pastries and cakes. Soft white wheat is also great for beginners because it substitutes 1 for 1 in recipes.

Einkorn

Einkorn is an ancient grain that has a delicious flavor. I use Einkorn flour for breads, cakes, and pastries. It is a great all-around flour, although when it comes to making bread, it isn’t quite as light and fluffy as hard white wheat. It is also a little harder to use for some beginners. It doesn’t substitute in recipes 1 for 1 like hard white wheat does. I do use Einkorn in many recipes because I love the extra nutrients it contains.

Freshly milled flour in a brown paper bag.

Benefits of Fresh Milled Flour

1. Nutritional value: Freshly milled flour retains more of its nutrients compared to commercially produced flour that has been sitting on shelves for an extended period. Whole grain flours contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are lost during the refining process.

2. Flavor and aroma: The freshness of milled flour results in a more robust flavor profile and aromatic qualities that can enhance the overall taste of your baked goods. You’ll notice a difference in the richness and complexity of flavors when using freshly ground flour.

3. Preservative-free: Store-bought flours often contain added preservatives and chemicals to extend their shelf life. By milling your own flour or purchasing fresh milled options, you can avoid these unwanted additives and enjoy a cleaner ingredient list.

4. Customization: When you mill your own flour, you have control over the coarseness or fineness of the grind, allowing you to tailor it to specific recipes or preferences. Different grains like wheat, corn, rice, or oats can be used to create unique blends with distinct textures and flavors.

Mockmill 200 after milling einkorn berries with fresh ground flour in a bowl.

5. Improved texture: Freshly milled flour produces lighter and fluffier baked goods due to its higher protein content and integrity of gluten. This can result in better rise and crumb structure in breads, cakes, and pastries.

6. Sustainability: Supporting local mills or milling your own grains promotes sustainability by not relying on grocery stores to receive your flour. You will still have to buy wheat berries to mill, but it is cheaper to buy in bulk than in small quantities. So, by storing wheat berries in bulk, you will have to rely on stores less.

7. Freshness: When buying flour from the grocery store, it is months or even years old. When milling your flour, you control how old the flour is. I enjoy milling mine right before adding it to my recipes to ensure it retains its nutritional value.

The short answer is yes, freshly milled grains are much better than modern-day wheat you buy pre-milled from the grocery store. Especially if you are looking to get the nutrients freshly milled flour provides to baked goods, it is a no-brainer. Milling grains can be a bit of an investment up front, but the overall benefits you will see not only from your health but better flavor will be well worth it.