Farmed as early as 12,000 years ago, this grain endures today.
Its cultivation began in the Fertile Crescent, a region encompassing parts of modern-day Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, where it played a vital role in the development of early farming communities.
Archaeological evidence suggests that einkorn was domesticated by ancient hunter-gatherer societies who began to settle and cultivate crops.
The cultivation of einkorn marked a significant milestone in human history, as it represented the transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural societies, leading to the rise of civilization in the Near East.
Its cultivation spread throughout the ancient world, reaching as far as Europe and Central Asia, where it continued to be cultivated for millennia.
Today, einkorn is experiencing a resurgence in popularity among farmers, bakers, and consumers who appreciate its nutritional qualities, unique flavor, and connection to our ancient past.
Characterized by its distinctive hulled seeds and tall, slender stalks, einkorn is prized for its nutritional qualities and unique flavor profile. Compared to modern wheat varieties, einkorn kernels are smaller, denser, and contain a higher percentage of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is also lower in gluten, making it more digestible for some individuals with gluten sensitivities.
Einkorn is the only ‘diploid’ wheat species, meaning it has two sets of chromosomes (14) compared to modern wheat which is a hexaploid (six sets or 42 chromosomes).