What Is Spelt Flour? How to Use This Ancient Grain Flour
If you've spotted spelt flour in a recipe or in the bulk section and wondered, What exactly is spelt? you're not alone.
Spelt is an ancient grain that's related to wheat. When the whole grain is milled into flour, it creates a slightly sweet, nutty whole grain flour that can be used for breads, muffins, pancakes, cookies and plenty of other everyday recipes.
At Life Essentials Refillery, we carry USDA Certified Organic Whole Grain Spelt Flour from VitaSpelt and sell it by weight, so you can buy the amount you actually need.
Here's what to know before baking with it.
What Is Spelt?
Spelt is an ancient grain and a type of wheat.
Although it has become more popular in recent years, spelt isn't a new grain. It has been cultivated for thousands of years and is now commonly used in breads, cereals, pastas and flour.
Whole grain spelt flour is produced by milling the whole spelt grain, including the bran and germ.
What Does Spelt Flour Taste Like?
One reason people enjoy baking with spelt is its flavor.
Spelt flour has a mild, slightly sweet and nutty flavor. It has more character than standard white flour without being overwhelmingly strong.
That makes it useful for both sweet and savory recipes.
What Can You Make With Spelt Flour?
Spelt flour is surprisingly versatile.
Try it in:
- Homemade bread
- Muffins
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Cookies
- Quick breads
- Pizza dough
- Crackers
- Biscuits
- Other everyday baked goods
If you're new to spelt, pancakes or muffins can be an easy place to start experimenting.
Can You Substitute Spelt Flour for Regular Flour?
Spelt flour can often be used in recipes that normally call for wheat flour, but it doesn't always behave exactly like conventional all-purpose flour.
If you're trying it for the first time, you can start by replacing part of the regular flour with spelt flour rather than changing the entire recipe.
For example, if a recipe calls for 2 cups of flour, you might start with 1 cup of your usual flour and 1 cup of spelt flour.
Once you're comfortable with how it behaves, you can experiment with using more.
Is Spelt Flour Gluten-Free?
No. Spelt flour is not gluten-free.
This is an important distinction because spelt is sometimes grouped with alternative or ancient grains.
Spelt is a type of wheat and naturally contains gluten. Anyone who needs to avoid gluten should not assume that spelt flour is a gluten-free alternative.
Is Spelt the Same as Wheat?
Spelt is a type of wheat, but it is a distinct variety.
That's why you'll sometimes hear spelt described as an ancient wheat or ancient grain.
It can be used for many of the same purposes as conventional wheat flour, but its flavor and baking characteristics are different.
Whole Grain Spelt Flour vs. White Spelt Flour
Just like conventional wheat flour, spelt can be milled in different ways.
Whole grain spelt flour contains the whole grain, including the bran and germ.
White spelt flour has portions of the grain removed during milling, creating a lighter flour.
The spelt flour we carry at Life Essentials Refillery is organic whole grain spelt flour.
Why Buy Spelt Flour in Bulk?
Have you ever bought an entire bag of specialty flour for a recipe that only called for one cup?
That's one of the reasons we love selling ingredients like spelt flour by weight.
You can buy a small amount to experiment with before committing to a larger quantity—or stock up if spelt is already part of your regular baking routine.
Bulk shopping also gives local customers the option to bring a clean container and reduce unnecessary packaging.
How Much Spelt Flour Should I Buy?
That depends on what you're making.
Because we sell spelt flour by weight, you don't have to commit to a predetermined package size.
Need enough for one recipe? Buy a little.
Already know you love baking with spelt? Buy more.
It's a simple idea: buy what you need.
Where Can I Buy Organic Spelt Flour in Tampa?
You can find USDA Certified Organic Whole Grain Spelt Flour at Life Essentials Refillery in South Tampa.
Life Essentials Refillery
4317 W El Prado Ave
Tampa, FL 33629
Our VitaSpelt whole grain spelt flour is made from 100% organic spelt and is sold by weight.
Shop online or visit us in store. Local pickup is also available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spelt Flour
What is spelt flour?
Spelt flour is flour made from spelt, an ancient variety of wheat. Whole grain spelt flour is made by milling the whole spelt grain.
What does spelt flour taste like?
Spelt flour has a mild, slightly sweet and nutty flavor.
Does spelt flour contain gluten?
Yes. Spelt is a type of wheat and contains gluten. Spelt flour is not gluten-free.
What is spelt flour used for?
Spelt flour can be used for breads, pancakes, muffins, waffles, cookies, pizza dough, crackers and many other baked goods.
Can I replace regular flour with spelt flour?
Spelt can be substituted for conventional wheat flour in many recipes, although the texture and baking characteristics may differ. Beginners can start by replacing part of the regular flour with spelt.
Is whole grain spelt flour the same as white spelt flour?
No. Whole grain spelt flour contains the whole grain, while white spelt flour has portions of the grain removed during milling.
Where can I buy spelt flour in Tampa?
Life Essentials Refillery sells USDA Certified Organic Whole Grain Spelt Flour by weight at 4317 W El Prado Ave in Tampa, Florida. It is also available to order online.
Try Something New Without Buying a Whole Bag
One of our favorite things about a bulk food store is being able to experiment.
Spelt is a perfect example.
If you've never baked with it before, you don't need to buy a large bag just to find out whether you like it. Pick up enough for your next recipe, give this ancient grain a try, and come back for more if it earns a place in your pantry.