Spelt

Grana Speltae / Triticum aestivum subsp. spelta

Historical tradition – not medical advice, and no health or healing claims. more

Historical botanical drawing: Spelt — Spelt

Tradition (Hildegard's writings)

In Hildegard's cuisine, spelt is regarded as the fundamental grain and is traditionally valued as a wholesome staple food for a balanced diet.

Ingredients

Pure ancient spelt varieties not crossed with wheat, such as Oberkulmer Rotkorn, Tiroler Rotkorn, Bauländer Spelz, Schwabenkorn, Frankenkorn and Ostro — preferably in organic or Demeter quality.

Note

Only pure, non-hybridised spelt should be used; varieties crossed with wheat are not intended in Hildegard's cuisine.

Botanical background

Pure spelt is said to have a particularly fine fibre structure whose carbohydrates are readily used by the gut bacteria. Botanically, three ancient forms are distinguished: einkorn (Triticum monococcum), emmer (Triticum dicoccum) and the spelt favoured by Hildegard (Triticum aestivum subsp. spelta). Pure spelt can be told from wheat analytically: certain protein components typical of wheat (omega-5 gliadins) do not occur in spelt. This also makes it possible to detect wheat flour mixed into a spelt flour (German Research Centre for Food Chemistry).

Sources & references

Strehlow, Wighard: Die Hildegard-Naturapotheke. Heilmittel und Rezepte von A bis Z. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 69 und 72–73.
Strehlow, Wighard: Der Hildegard-Kompass. Die wichtigsten Heilmittel und Anwendungen. Knaur Verlag 2014. S. 29.
Hildegard von Bingen: Heilsame Schöpfung. Die natürliche Wirkkraft der Dinge (Physica). Hrsg. von der Abtei St. Hildegard, Eibingen. Beuroner Kunstverlag 2012 (4. Auflage 2024). Cap. 1-5 (Dinkel).

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More preparations using Spelt

Spelt Coffee Spelt Habermus (Sweet Spelt Porridge)

Historical tradition. The above describes how this preparation was recorded and used in the tradition of Hildegard of Bingen. This is cultural-historical information, not medical advice and not a health or healing claim, and it is no substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. If you have health complaints, please consult your doctor or pharmacy.

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