Grain Tracker
Oberkulmer Spelt Facts 2018
Spelt Fields 2018
In 2018, spelt was grown in Independence Township on 4.7 acres on the farm established by R. Meloy, Esquire in 1829. Meloy was a farmer, grain, stock and wool grower. More recently the farm was a dairy farm and a cattle farm. Weatherbury Farm has farmed this land since 2015. The farm has been certified organic since 2006.
The spelt was planted on October 21, 2017.
Clover was frost seeded into the grain on April 23, 2018.
The spelt was harvested on July 14, 2018.
At the 2018 Washington County Fair, the Oberkulmer Spelt sheaf won 1st place and the jar of Oberkulmer Spelt grains won 2nd place.
Spelt in the hull and spelt berries (after being dehulled)
Spelt (or Speltz as it is often known in southwestern Pennsylvania) was a favorite of our forefathers as the grain is stored in the hull and is only dehulled before use.
Pesky pantry moths can’t attack grains in the hull. These insects love organic grains and turn their little antenna up against conventional grains sprayed with pesticides!
And when the grain is dehulled, it is still fresh.
For an illustrated explanation of how Weatherbury grains become flour, visit the from seed to flour page.
More information on Oberkulmer Spelt below the pictures!
Spelt emerging from the winter
Spelt Field : Look closely and you can see the frost-seeded clover in the undergrowth.
Harvesting Spelt
About Oberkulmer Spelt
Spelt is one of the three ancient hulled wheats. At Weatherbury Farm, we grow Oberkulmer Spelt, which is a robust old Swiss landrace.
Oberkulmer is a true spelt with no modern wheat genetics.
Spelt is protected from the elements by a hull which doesn’t come free in harvest (unlike the hulls on wheat which do). The removal of the hull prior to milling requires special machinery. Weatherbury is lucky to have a spelt dehuller, built by Farmer Nigel.
Products Milled from Oberkulmer Spelt
Oberkulmer Spelt is milled into organic unbleached whole and sifted spelt flour. Sourdough spelt bread is thought by many to be the most tasty of breads. Spelt berries (also available), with their chewy texture and nutty sweet flavor, can be used as a hot cereal, in a salad or in place of rice for a soup or pilaf.
Health benefits of Spelt
Spelt is one of the healthiest foods. Prized for its superior nutrition, spelt is higher than wheat in protein, minerals and vitamins. With a gluten entirely different from wheat, spelt imparts a nutty flavor. It is gentle for the whole digestive tract and strengthens your immune system and your nerves.
More Information
Spelt flour and spelt berries can be ordered on our order page.
To read more about spelt flour, please visit our products page.
More information on spelt and other grains grown by Weatherbury Farm is on the grains we grow page.