In this article, we’ll discuss the substitute for torrified wheat, and how to choose the best substitute for torrified wheat for your specific application.
What Exactly is torrified wheat?
Torrified wheat is a form of wheat that has been heated to a very high temperature. This process makes it easier for the body to digest and provides additional nutrients, such as protein, vitamins, and minerals. It also changes the texture of the grain by making it crunchier and more resistant to molding or becoming stale.
This process has been used in Europe for centuries, but it wasn’t until recently that it became popular in America. Torrified wheat has become a popular ingredient in many pieces of bread, crackers, and other baked goods because it provides many health benefits and makes them much easier to digest than traditional whole wheat flour.
Torrefied wheat is created by heating raw wheat kernels to very high temperatures (around 400°F or 200°C) under extremely high pressure (over 2,000 psi).
This process causes the moisture in the kernel to evaporate while simultaneously causing the starch inside to gelatinize (turn into a sticky substance). The resulting product is a hard, dark-colored grain that can be added directly into processed foods without being cooked first.
substitute for torrified wheat
When you’re shopping for an alternative to torrified wheat, make sure you read labels carefully before purchasing any food items. Some products that don’t contain wheat may contain other ingredients that could be problematic for those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
The following ingredients can be used as substitutes for torrified wheat:
1. Flour
Flour is made from the endosperm of grains. It’s a good substitute for crushed or ground wheat, but it does not have the same texture or consistency as torrified wheat.
2. Rolled oats
Rolled oats are made from groats (the hulled, inner portion of the oat grain). They do not resemble crushed wheat in appearance or texture, but they work well as a substitute in recipes that call for cooked cracked wheat.
3. Cracked wheat
Cracked wheat is made from groats that have been split into two or three pieces with a sharp object before being dried and cooked into a granular form similar to that of crushed barley. It is one of the least expensive forms of wheat flour and can be used in many recipes calling for crushed cereal grains like oatmeal or cracked corn.
4. Buckwheat flour
Buckwheat flour is made from buckwheat seeds and has a nutty flavor that works well in many baked goods. It’s also high in protein and fiber, so it’s an excellent choice for people who want to eat healthier foods. The main downside of buckwheat flour is that it doesn’t absorb liquid, as well as other flours, do, so it may not work well if you’re looking for a substitute for torrified wheat in recipes that require thickening agents such as eggs or milk.
5. Barley flour
Barley flour is similar in taste and texture to wheat flour, but it has more protein than other flour made from grains. You can use barley flour in most recipes that call for flour, although it will affect the flavor of your dish somewhat. You’ll also need to increase the amount of liquid in your recipe by 25 percent when using barley flour as a substitute.
6. Oats
Oats are another option that works well as an alternative to torrified wheat when baking or cooking at home. They are rich in nutrients such as iron and B-vitamins, making them a healthy addition to any meal plan. You can buy oat flour by grinding rolled oats in a food processor or blender.
7. Buckwheat Groats / Kasha (gluten-free)
Buckwheat groats are the whole raw kernels of buckwheat, which have not been destroyed by heat or pressure to create buckwheat flour.
8. Cornmeal
Cornmeal is a coarsely ground corn product. It is made by grinding dried whole-grain kernels and then separating the germ, endosperm, and bran. Cornmeal can be used as a flour substitute in many recipes, though it will result in a coarser texture than wheat flour. It can also be used as an ingredient in bread, muffins, and cakes, or as a thickener for gravies, soups, and stews.
Torrified Wheat nutrition Facts
Information about the amount of protein, fat, and calories in Torrified Wheat.
1. Protein is an essential nutrient for the body to build and repair tissue.
It can be found in all foods that come from animals, including meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. Protein is also present in some vegetables such as peas and beans.
2. Fat is an important part of a healthy diet.
It helps your body absorb vitamins A, D, E and K. Fat serves as insulation for the body’s organs and is used as an energy source when carbohydrates are not available. Fats also help your body absorb certain vitamins such as A, D, E, and K.
3. A 5-ounce serving of torrified wheat contains 1 gram of fat and 5 grams of protein.
It has 80 calories per serving which makes it a good source of both protein and fiber.
4. One cup of torrified wheat contains 5 grams of dietary fiber.
This is 25 percent of the daily recommended value for women and 38 percent for men. Torrified wheat also contains protein, vitamin B1, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Delicious Torrified Wheat Recipe
This is a delicious recipe for torrified wheat that you can use to make tasty and nutritious bread.
Ingredients
3 cups of wheat berries (you can also use 1 cup of wheat flour and 2 cups of all-purpose flour)
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt, plus more for sprinkling on top of the mixture (optional)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tsp vinegar added and allowed to stand at room temperature for 10 minutes)
Directions
Step 1: Place the wheat berries in a large bowl and cover with water by at least 2 inches.
Step 2: Let soak overnight. Drain the berries, rinse them well and drain again. Drain any excess water once more.
Step 3: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the berries along with enough water to cover them by one inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until tender, about 45 minutes to an hour.
Step 4: Drain off any excess water if needed but save 1 cup of liquid for your dough when you are ready to add it back in! Meanwhile, whisk together all dry ingredients into a large bowl until well combined.
Step 5: Once the wheat berries are cooked and drained add them to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Add in your dough liquid and stir until just combined. Transfer your dough to a clean surface dusted with white whole-wheat flour and knead for 5 minutes until stiff. The dough should be sticky but not wet or too dry.
Step 6: Place back into your mixing bowl (you can also use a large plastic storage bag) and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight covered by plastic wrap or a moist tea towel.
FAQs
1. Is torrified wheat the same as puffed wheat?
No, although they are both made from wheat kernels. Puffed wheat is made by heating raw kernels of wheat under pressure and then bursting them open with steam. This process causes the starch inside each kernel to expand so dramatically that they end up looking like popcorn. Torrified wheat has been cooked at a higher temperature, which turns the starch into syrup.
2. What does torrified wheat look like?
The light-colored wheat kernels are broken into pieces with approximately one-quarter of the original kernel size remaining. This process breaks down much of the protein structure, leaving behind a product with a more open surface area for absorption of other ingredients.
3. How much time does it take to make torrified wheat?
The whole process takes approximately 45 minutes and involves three steps: steaming, drying, then cooling at room temperature. The resulting product has an open surface area which makes it ideal as an ingredient in many food and beverage applications.
4. What is the difference between whole wheat and torrified wheat?
The main difference between whole wheat and torrified wheat is that whole wheat contains all parts of the kernel — bran, germ, and endosperm. The germ is rich in oil and vitamins, while the bran is high in B vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Torrified wheat has been processed so that most of these nutrients have been removed. It also has a lighter taste than whole wheat due to its porous structure.
5. Why Does Torrified Wheat Aid Head Retention?
Torrified wheat is a form of wheat that has been heated to a very high temperature. This process causes some of the starches in wheat to convert into sugars and evaporate. The result is a crisper, drier beer with less head retention.
In Conclusion
The necessity for substitutes for torrified wheat is projected to be large as the interest in gluten-free diets is surging. Wheat varieties, which have a low content of gluten in them, became popular in most parts of Europe. Gluten content testing has become a must-to-do test among flour customers.