Farro
Farro is a term for three hulled wheat species: einkorn, emmer, and spelt.
Farro is a term for three ancient hulled wheat species: einkorn, emmer, and spelt. It is a nutty, chewy grain commonly used in salads, soups, and stews in Italian and Mediterranean cooking.
What it is
Farro refers to three species of hulled wheat: einkorn (Triticum monococcum), emmer (Triticum dicoccum), and spelt (Triticum spelta). In culinary contexts, it is often sold dried and cooked until tender.
Culinary use
Cooked farro has a chewy texture and nutty flavour. It is used in grain bowls, salads, soups, stews, and as a side dish. In Italian cuisine, it is also prepared as farrotto, a risotto-style dish.
Varieties and naming
In Italian usage, farro piccolo, farro medio, and farro grande correspond to einkorn, emmer, and spelt respectively. English-language sources sometimes use 'farro' specifically for emmer. It is one of the oldest cultivated grains, originating in the ancient Near East.
In short
- Farro covers three wheat species: einkorn, emmer, spelt.
- It has a nutty, chewy texture when cooked.
- Commonly used in salads, soups, and stews.
- Widely available in Canada as a whole grain alternative.
Farro is widely available in Canadian grocery stores and is used in Canadian home cooking and restaurant cuisine as a high-fibre whole grain alternative to rice or pasta.
Quick questions
What is farro?
What does farro taste like?
How is farro used in cooking?
Sources
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FarroSupports: Defines farro as a grain of three species of hulled wheat and notes its culinary uses.
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/farroSupports: Defines farro as ancient wheat grain, specifically emmer, einkorn, or spelt used in dishes.
- Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/farroSupports: Gives alternative dictionary definitions linking farro to emmer and to ancient wheats including spelt and einkorn.
- Bread Cakes and Ale — https://breadcakesandale.com/2012/12/14/just-what-is-farro-wheat-names-in-english-and-italian/Supports: Explains Italian naming conventions for farro and the three wheat types.
- Taste of Home — https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/what-is-farro/Supports: Describes farro as an ancient type of wheat with nutty taste, chewy texture, and common culinary uses.
- Cleveland Clinic — https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-farroSupports: States farro is an ancient grain and notes common types sold in the U.S. and their preparation forms.