Origin: Wheat flour is the powder made from the grinding of wheat. Wheat's origin can be traced from the wild grasses called Triticeae. The seeds of these grasses had a flavor that was very pleasing to primitive people. Triticeae grasses included wheat, barley, rye, and a number of important wild grasses. Wheat is believed to be originated from western Asia and northern Africa. And it spread from these countries to different parts of the world. Wild einkorn and emmer, which have been known for over 75,000 years, are credited as wheat's earliest ancestors and founders. Wheat is the most widely produced and consumed cereal grain in the world.
In ancient times, the primitive people would select the grains that could be most easily removed from their glumes or husks and prepared. People would parch, simmer, and ground these grains and prepared flat cakes or bread. Thus, using this grain became a food changing evolution for the early ancestors and provided basic sustenance. The evolution and cultivating wheat seeds began 9,000 to 10,000 years ago. Human beings' ability to process (mill), store, cultivate, and trade grain marked the beginnings of civilization and its evolution.
Primitive women performed the tasks of gathering, threshing, grinding, and cooking the grains. The earlier wheat species would grow as tall as six feet, but modern varieties and hybrid varieties grow to average two to three feet in height. Domestic wheat is selected and bred for strong seed heads that do not shatter easily and that release or remove the hull easily.
Scientifically: To produce wheat flour, the grain is usually tempered, i.e. moisture added to the grain, before milling, to optimize milling efficiency. This softens the starchy "endosperm" portion of the wheat kernel, which will be separated out in the milling process to produce what is known to consumers as white flour.
Usage: Whole wheat flour provides 408 calories per cup, 16 grams of protein, 86 grams of carbohydrate, 13 grams of fiber and 3 gram of fat. Almond flour provides 640 calories per cup, 24 grams of protein, 24 grams of carbohydrate, 12 grams of fiber and 56 grams of fat. Whole wheat flour is used all over the world for consumption purposes. It is used to make bread, cookies, cakes, porridges, etc. Wheat is also great in improving skin texture.
Below are some DIYs with wheat for beautiful skin:
- Take a tablespoon of wheat flour, add a teaspoon of honey and some rose water to make a thick paste. Apply this mixture to the face for 10 minutes and rinse later. This pack helps in soothing the skin and reduces the appearance of acne.
- Mix some wheat flour with raw milk. Apply this mixture for about 15 minutes. Wash it off later in a scrubbing motion. This pack helps in lightening and tightening of the skin.
- Take equal quantities of wheat flour and fresh cream. Mix them together and apply on the face. Rinse after 10 minutes. This works as an excellent moisturizer for the face.
- Take a tablespoon of wheat flour and add a 2 tablespoon of lemon juice to it. Mix them together and apply on the face. Rinse later. This helps in removing suntan.