Buckwheat

Buckwheat is a small, triangle-shaped seed. Even though it has the word wheat in its name, it is not really wheat at all. It comes from a flowering plant with pretty white blooms. People around the world use buckwheat to make many kinds of food.

What Buckwheat Is

Buckwheat plants grow fast and have heart-shaped leaves. Bees love the white flowers and make yummy honey from them. The seeds inside are called groats. Buckwheat is not related to wheat, so people who cannot eat wheat can often eat buckwheat. It has a nutty, earthy flavor.

Foods Made from Buckwheat

In Japan, buckwheat is made into long, thin noodles called soba. Russians cook the groats into a warm dish called kasha. In the United States, buckwheat flour is often used to make fluffy pancakes. People in France make thin pancakes called galettes from buckwheat. It is a very useful food.

Fun Facts

• Buckwheat honey is dark and has a strong flavor.
• Buckwheat can grow and be ready to harvest in just 10 to 12 weeks.
• Russia grows more buckwheat than any other country.

Did You Know?

Buckwheat is not a grain or wheat at all. It is actually related to rhubarb and sorrel.