Khorasan or Kamut Wheat: A Story for Marketing or a Food Revolution?

Khorasan wheat, which is also known by the registered brand Kamut®, has made its way onto the tables of people who like healthy and organic foods. But why is this food trend happening? Is it really a return to where our food came from, or is it just a well-run business?

Where Khorasan wheat came from

A hazy story says that the history of Khorasan wheat starts in Egypt. People say that in the 1940s, 36 grains of this old grain were found in an Egyptian tomb and brought to the United States. In fact, it’s hard to say for sure where this grain came from. Theories put it in different places, like Egypt, Iran, and the Khorasan region of Afghanistan, from which it gets its name.

“Where the sun rises” is what “Khorasan” means in Persian. It was first used to talk about an ancient area in Central Asia that included parts of eastern Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. Khorasan wheat gets its name from this place because this is where it is thought to have come from, though no one is sure for sure.

Khorasan wheat: a legal issue

The company Kamut International Ltd., which is based in Montana, USA, has registered the word “Kamut®” as a trademark. The name was created to protect the purity of this old type of wheat and make sure it is always grown according to organic standards.

Kamut International Ltd. is the only company that can use the Kamut® name, and it has strict rules about how farmers can grow it, such as no hybridization or genetic change and a minimum size for the grains.

This name and the way it is made have caused some trouble. Some critics say that registering the Kamut® name is a way to make money off of a product that belongs to everyone. They say that this limits the freedom of farmers and makes grain more expensive for customers.

Production and diffusion of Khorasan wheat

Despite the arguments, Khorasan wheat is becoming more and more famous. Most Khorasan wheat is grown today in the United States, especially in Montana. It is also grown in Canada, Australia, and some European countries, such as Italy.

Khorasan wheat is still only grown in a small area, but that area is growing. In the United States, for example, Khorasan wheat is grown on about 20,000 hectares, and about 30,000 tons of it are made every year. It is thought that about 1,000 hectares are used for farming in Italy, and about 1,500 tons are made each year.

Is Khorasan wheat healthy or just a food trend?
People often say that Khorasan wheat is becoming more famous because it is good for your health. Kamut has more protein, lipids, and vital amino acids than modern wheat. It also has an interesting mix of minerals and vitamins.

Contains gluten?

But it’s important to know that Khorasan wheat is still wheat and contains GLUTEN because of that. People who can’t eat gluten or have celiac disease shouldn’t eat it.

A GRANitic resistance

The toughness of Khorasan wheat is one of its most interesting qualities. Because it comes from a hard and dry place, Khorasan wheat is very resistant to disease and drought. This makes it a good choice for growers who want wheat types that can handle different weather conditions.

Whether we think of it as a return to our food roots or a sneaky way to make money, one thing is for sure: what we eat and how it is made have a big effect on our health and the health of the world. It is worth looking into and making choices based on what you learn.