At Give Us This Day LLC, we proudly focus on using 3 primary ancient grains: Einkorn, Khorasan, and Emmer. What makes these grains truly special is that they lack the D chromosome, which is known to cause gluten sensitivity in many people. In contrast, the vast majority of modern grains—over thousands of varieties—contain the D chromosome and have a total of 42 chromosomes.
Our chosen ancient grains have only 14 or 28 chromosomes, depending on the variety. This simpler chromosome makeup means, right down to the DNA level, these grains are much easier for the body to break down and digest. Because our grains are freshly milled, the bran—rich in insoluble fiber—and the healthy fats naturally present in the whole wheat flour work together to slow the release of starch from the wheat berry. As a result, this process helps maintain a low glycemic index score, making it a smarter, more balanced choice for your energy and overall health.
Ancient wheat is simply old wheat. It has been around for at least 12,000 years since the start of farming. Today’s wheat, however, is very different. Modern wheat is bred for big harvests and strong gluten, not flavor. Ancient wheat varieties have stayed mostly the same for hundreds of years. They became unpopular because their gluten is fragile and can’t handle the fast, large-scale industrial bread machines we use now.