Where can I buy buckwheat online?

With the appearance in our lives of such words as “coronavirus”, “complete lockdown”, “quarantine”, the long-forgotten “deficit” has returned. Many medicines, toilet paper, medical masks and all hand sanitizers were in short supply. During the first wave of quarantine, it was impossible to buy matches, sugar, salt and buckwheat in stores.

 This is not the first time that the latter has become a deficit and is included in the top list of essential products. Increasingly, on the Internet, you can find the request “where can I buy buckwheat online.” What is the reason for such a special attitude towards buckwheat?

What is buckwheat useful for? Pros and cons.

Buckwheat is often called the queen of cereals, and this is not surprising – the useful properties of these small nondescript grains (or rather seeds) can be enumerated for a very long time.

Amino acids. All 18 amino acids necessary for humans are contained in one product – buckwheat.

Folic acid. The most important acid for pregnant women. Promotes successful conception and normal fetal development. Increases the overall endurance of the body.

Iron. Participates in DNA synthesis and metabolic processes, prevents the development of anemia.

Potassium. It is necessary for the normal functioning of the heart. A deficiency in this element causes muscle spasms.

Calcium and Phosphorus. The main building material for our bones and teeth.

Magnesium. The most advertised, but at the same time the most effective natural antidepressant.

Iodine. One of the most essential elements for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.

Vitamins of group B. A complex of water-soluble vitamins necessary for the functioning of the body’s enzyme systems, protein metabolism, tissue respiration.

Vitamin P (rutin). Strengthens the effect of vitamin C, improves blood clotting, strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

Vitamin E. A powerful antioxidant and cardioprotective agent, it also has strong vasodilator properties.

The carbohydrates that are part of buckwheat, the so-called “slow carbohydrates” – are gradually absorbed, giving a feeling of fullness for a long time.

Due to its low glycemic index, buckwheat is good for diabetics. Buckwheat can be safely bought and consumed by those who suffer from gluten intolerance – it does not contain this protein.

Buckwheat also has contraindications. This is an individual intolerance to the product. Large quantities should not be consumed with a tendency to flatulence, gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer.

 A bit of history

Sowing buckwheat (ordinary, edible) is a herbaceous crop from the genus Buckwheat of the Buckwheat family. This is not a grain crop, what we eat is the seeds of a plant. The homeland of buckwheat is India and Nepal. It was there that this wild grass was “cultivated” about 5000 years ago.

Buckwheat is one of the most undemanding, and therefore environmentally friendly crops, since there is no need to use chemical fertilizers or means of protection against pests and weeds for its cultivation. Moreover, buckwheat itself displaces all weeds.

Buckwheat was brought to Europe in the 15th century, and to the territory of Ancient Russia much earlier – in the 13th century, during the Tatar-Mongol invasion. The familiar name of the cereal received presumably because it was sold by traders from Greece, or because it was grown by Greek monks – they were very fond of the unpretentious and nutritious cereal.

Among the Slavic peoples, buckwheat is a favorite product, dishes made from it have practically become national.

In Japan, they cook noodles called soba, a national dish made from buckwheat flour.

Pancakes are also baked from buckwheat flour in France.

In the USA, you can buy buckwheat only at a pet store – it is sold as food for animals and birds.

In Europe, buckwheat is also not very popular – it is considered the food of the poor, and the taste of porridge seems strange and bitter. In some countries, almost the only place where you can buy buckwheat is pharmacies, where it is sold as a food supplement and a product for diabetics.

Varieties of buckwheat

In addition to common buckwheat, there is also Tatar buckwheat – very similar in appearance to the seeds to common buckwheat. It grows like a weed, harvested as feed for livestock, and is used as food only in years of poor harvest. It is still cultivated only in its historical homeland, in Nepal, in the highlands, where ordinary buckwheat does not grow.

Tatar buckwheat is suitable for collecting honey; in pharmacology, the substance rutin is obtained from it, which is used to improve blood circulation and prevent blood clots.

In China, a decoction of the seeds of Tatar buckwheat Ku Qiao is still popular. This tea contains almost all known vitamins and minerals.

Useful properties of tea:

– activates the immune system and increases resistance to colds and viral diseases.

 – effectively reduces the level of bad cholesterol in the blood.

– used as a dietary supplement for the prevention of diabetes.

– speeds up metabolism, promotes weight loss.

– soothes, relieves stress and improves sleep quality.

– stimulates mental activity.

– gives a good anti-edema effect, removes excess fluid from the body.
Can be consumed at any time of the day as this tea does not contain caffeine.

Buy buckwheat and lose weight

Buckwheat is also respected by lovers of dieting. The famous mono diet on buckwheat and kefir, according to those who have tried it, gives amazing results. Some losing weight have managed to lose 5 to 10 kg in a week.

 To do this, you need to buy buckwheat in a supermarket or online, pour 1 kg of cereal with boiling water, let it brew overnight, and eat in small portions during the day. Salt and spices cannot be added. You can drink only green tea or pure water in unlimited quantities. And low-fat kefir will help you somehow push dry unsalted porridge into your mouth.

Fiber, abundant in buckwheat, cleanses the intestines from toxins and gives a feeling of fullness for a long time. Calories enter the body at least – in 100 grams of buckwheat, only about 90 kilocalories.

However, nutritionists unanimously say that any strict mono-diet is harmful to the body. Not a single product, even the most useful product, will give the body all the necessary nutrients. Yes, you will lose weight, but soon after stopping the diet, it will return. A long-term deficiency of vitamins, micro and macro elements can reduce not only body fat, but also muscle mass, slow down metabolism and worsen the general condition of the body.

But you can and should buy and add buckwheat to your diet. It is best to eat buckwheat porridge in the morning and at lunchtime, up to 5 times a week, in combination with vegetables. It is advisable not to eat fish or meat with buckwheat, together they are poorly digested and slow down the metabolism.

For dinner, too, you should not get carried away with buckwheat – a large amount of carbohydrates at night can easily turn into fat.

Green buckwheat.

Recently, when everyone is completely carried away by proper nutrition, green buckwheat can again be seen in stores and bought online.

 Green buckwheat is a cereal that has not been heat treated. Buckwheat grains are only peeled from the outer shell and slightly dried. Thanks to this, almost all of its value is preserved in the cereal, because when heated, a large amount of useful substances is destroyed, including rutin, or vitamin R.

Green buckwheat is also good because it can be germinated. Delicious and juicy buckwheat sprouts will appeal not only to vegans, they can be added to salads or consumed on their own.

Unfried buckwheat is contraindicated in case of increased blood clotting, due to the high content of rutin. Also, high amounts of dietary fiber can irritate the intestinal wall, causing bloating or constipation.

Buckwheat honey

Another delicious way to benefit from buckwheat is to eat buckwheat honey. Dark, thick, with a characteristic taste and aroma, it is considered the king of honeys. Buckwheat honey contains twice as much essential amino acids as light honey.

Due to the record content of iron, as well as other macro and microelements such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, copper, buckwheat honey is recommended for people with low hemoglobin. It also helps to increase immunity, fight stress and chronic fatigue, improve the functioning of the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract, restore strength in case of vitamin deficiency, and normalize blood pressure. Of the contraindications, only intolerance to beekeeping products.

Not just for food

Buckwheat has found its application in folk medicine. Buckwheat leaves are used to treat purulent wounds. The juice from the plant was instilled into the eyes for conjunctivitis.

Buckwheat husks are stuffed into pillows and mattresses. The aroma emanating from it soothes, relieves headaches and helps to normalize sleep.

In the east, I use fabric bags with heated buckwheat for massage – they warm up sore areas on the body, relieve spasms and muscle clamps.

Green buckwheat can be used to make an excellent cleansing mask. The grains need to be crushed into powder, add water for dry skin, you can use sour cream, apply for 10-15 minutes on the face. The mask acts as a scrub, gently removes dead cells from the skin, evens out the complexion. Coarsely ground grains are added to laundry or shower milk and used as a body scrub.

It is very important to use all traditional methods with caution, in case of allergic reactions, immediately consult a doctor.

Getting the full benefit of this beautiful and affordable product is easy. You just need to know where to buy buckwheat and how to cook it correctly.