Get to Know Sorghum!
Have you tried cooking with whole grain sorghum yet? Or have you tried any ready-to-eat products that feature sorghum as an ingredient? If not, sorghum is definitely a grain worth discovering more about. Sorghum is the Whole Grains Council’s June Whole Grain of the Month, and we pulled together a list of our most frequently asked questions to showcase all that this super grain has to offer. Get to know whole grain sorghum!
What is sorghum?
Sorghum is a whole grain that can be cooked and used in dishes similarly to rice or quinoa. The ancient grain originated in Northeastern Africa, around 8,000 B.C. Today, the United States is the largest producer of grain sorghum. While sorghum has traditionally been utilized in livestock feed and ethanol production, white food-grade sorghum’s use as a nutritious, environmentally friendly food ingredient has taken off. In fact, hundreds of products now contain sorghum.
Is sorghum good for you?
The nutrition profile that sorghum provides is hard to beat. A serving of whole grain sorghum is an excellent source of 12 essential nutrients, more than a serving of corn, wheat, oats, rice, or quinoa. Sorghum stands out among plant-based sources of protein and comparable grains. A serving of cooked whole grain sorghum provides 10 grams of protein– more than double the amount of protein as a serving of quinoa and nearly double the iron as a 3-ounce portion of a beef sirloin steak. Learn more about the health benefits of sorghum.
What makes it unique?
If you are new to sorghum, you may ask yourself, “Why should I consider cooking with sorghum?” Beyond whole grain sorghum’s nutrition profile, the grain features a host of other benefits. Sorghum is easy to cook utilizing a number of cooking methods. One favorite is in a pressure cooker. You can whip up a batch of whole grain sorghum in your pressure cooker in just 20 minutes. To save time in the kitchen, you can also cook a large batch of sorghum and store it in the refrigerator or freezer for use later – it will not lose its quality. While sorghum can be used in a multitude of ways as a whole grain, sorghum can also be used in a number of different forms like flour, popped, flake and syrup that make for unlimited possibilities. Sorghum is also an environmentally-friendly whole grain that uses less water to grow than comparable crops.
What recipes can I use whole grain sorghum in?
Sorghum is an incredibly versatile whole grain that can be used in an array of creative recipes. It has a neutral, nutty flavor and a toothsome bite that makes it a catalyst for flavors. Visit our recipe tab for meal ideas ranging from salads, savory soups, tasty side dishes, delectable sweets and much more.
Where can I buy it?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about sorghum. More and more sorghum products show up on grocery store shelves every day. Look for whole grain sorghum available for purchase in the whole grains section of your local grocery store. You can also look for whole grain sorghum at local health food stores. Can’t find sorghum at your local grocery store? Request it at your grocery store’s customer service counter. Whole grain sorghum is also available from online retailers like Wondergrain, Nu Life Market and even Amazon.
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