Butterfly Rewards - earn free credits and redeem for good causes - learn more!
about our ads
my care2
make a difference
healthy & green living: more than 5,000 ways to enhance your life
Annie B. Bond

Is Durum Wheat Whole? Ask Annie

posted by Annie B. Bond Oct 17, 2008 11:00 am
filed under: Blogs, Ask Annie, Eating for Health, Natural Pantry, , , ,
Is Durum Wheat Whole? Ask Annie
10 comments

Dear Annie,
I always buy whole wheat noodles and I was looking at the ingredients and one package said it had “100 Percent Durum Wheat,” and the other said “100 Percent Whole Wheat.” What is the difference between the two, and which one is better for you? Thank you for your time. –Debra, MS

Hi Debra,
Even though 100 percent durum wheat isn’t as dark of a color as something labeled “whole wheat,” it actually is a coarsely ground whole grain. Durum wheat is a class of wheat. Note that “whole semolina” is also 100 percent durum wheat, just by another name. Durum wheat is preferred for pasta because it is high in protein, dense and strong. You are absolutely right to want to go for the 100 percent whole grain, because it contains the entire wheat berry and the full spectrum of nutrients and fiber. “White” pasta is refined and processes out much of the nutritional value.

Learn more about wheat foods at www.wheatfoods.org and on their Grain Blog.

More on Ask Annie (117 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3248 articles available)

10 comments

10 comments

add your comment »
10 comments add your comment
Jill W.

would someone just tell me what has to be on the bag of pasta under ingredients when i buy it. Currently i buy "Durum Wheat Semolina" sometimes it says 100%, not always

Jill W.

can someone please tell if the wheatgerm bought out of the shops in packets dated good for 12 months, has any goodness left in it when i buy it?

Victor C.

Sorry for the double post there - didn't realise the first one had been published.

Victor C.

I have found a document published by the US Food & Drug Administration which states that

"Durum wheat is a type of wheat that has a high protein content and the flour has a yellow color. It is typically used for semolina and pastas. Durum flour should not be considered a whole grain flour because the germ and bran have been removed (21 CFR 137.220). However, whole durum flour (21 CFR 137.225) should be considered a whole grain flour because the flour contains all the parts of the grain, i.e., the bran, endosperm, and germ. We recommend that products labeled with "100 percent durum wheat" statements be made entirely with durum flour and products labeled "whole grain" be made entirely from whole durum flour."

The link is http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/flgragui.html.

I find it alarming that Annie Bond didn't research this properly. White bread is not a whole grain product and isn't particularly good for you - it's empty calories.

Melissa P.

The language is tricky, because while something can be made 100% out of wheat, does that always mean 100% of the wheat kernel is used to make it?

Based on the below information semolina is ground from the endosperm of the durum only.

When durum is milled, the endosperm is ground into a granular product called semolina.
http://wheatfoods.org/What-is-durum-wheat-and-what-is-it-used-for.25.10.htm

The starchy endosperm accounts for about 83 percent of the grain’s weight. Most of the protein and carbohydrates are stored in the endosperm, as are some minerals and B vitamins (though less than are in the bran). This layer also has some dietary fiber; for example, about 25 percent of the fiber in wheat is found in the endosperm. In wheat, the endosperm is the part of the grain used to make white flour. http://www.littletongristmill.com/nutrition.html

Annie Bond

Hi Thomas, Where do you get your information? Here is info I have found to support my claim that 100 percent durum wheat is a whole grain:
http://wheatfoods.org/What-is-durum-wheat-and-what-is-it-used-for.25.10.htm
and
grainblog.wheatfoods.org

Thomas Klabunde

100% durum wheat is not necessarily whole wheat. White bread is 100% wheat as well, but the wheat has been processed. This is not correct advice.

Annie Bond

Both are whole grain products and so both are good for you, assuming no gluten-intolerance or allergy! Whole grains provide a full nutritional package and high fiber content.

Dirk Bakken

I don.t think you answered the question there. Is one better than the other?

Please enter your comment.
Or, log in with your
Facebook account:
1500 characters remaining

who's talking about this story?

Trackback URL

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

1011010

ads keep care2 free
ads keep care2 free
ads keep care2 free
Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved