Milling at home guide

Milling your own flour at home is simple, rewarding, and unlocks rich flavours and wholesome nutrients you simply cannot find in store-bought flour. Based right here in Mission, BC,
Life Grain Co. provides premium whole wheat berries ready for your countertop mill. Here is everything you need to know to get started with home grain milling.

Did you know that wheat berries contain 40 out of the 44 nutrients needed to sustain life?

It's no wonder that in John 6:35, Jesus refers to himself as the Bread of Life.  

 

Frequently asked questions

Find clear answers on selecting a home grain mill, storing your whole grains, maintaining peak nutritional freshness, and baking with 100% fresh whole wheat flour.

Why should I mill wheat berries at home?

Commercial whole wheat flour often removes the germ and bran to extend shelf life. When you mill your own whole grain at home, you preserve 100% of the natural bran, germ, fibre, vitamin E, and B vitamins. You also get unmatched flavour and nutritional benefits in all your baked goods.

What kind of grain mill do I need?

Electric countertop impact or stone mills (such as Nutrimill, KoMo, or Mockmill) are the most popular for everyday bakers because they produce fine flour quickly and consistently. Manual hand-crank mills work good for smaller batches or if the power goes out, while specialized grain mill attachments are also available for stand mixers. In my experience, people who try the KitchenAid attachment for their mixer find that their motor quickly starts to run hot, and upgrade for a higher quality mill that speeds up the milling process.
It's worth it to to do some research on what type of mill, and price point you are looking for. There are Canadian suppliers that have these mills in stock. 

How long do whole wheat berries stay fresh?

Intact wheat berries can last decades when kept in a cool, and dry pantry inside an airtight food-grade container.  Unground wheat berries can remain fresh for years without losing their nutritional integrity or baking quality, making it a perfect option for those who like to be prepared in emergenices. 
It is best to mill on demand and use the flour milled right away for maximum freshness and nutrition. If you have a little bit leftover, put it in a ziploc bag in your freezer and use to dust your counter or use in you pancake batter on Saturday morning!

Can I use standard measuring cups when milling?

Because fresh flour is fluffier and has a different volume than compacted all-purpose flour, I recommend using a kitchen scale.  100g of wheat berries equals 100g of fresh milled flour.  Nice and easy!

Otherwise, one cup of wheat berries typically yields about 1.25 to 1.5 cups of fresh flour (depending on the variety), but weighing your ingredients in grams guarantees consistent baking results.

How soon should I use freshly milled flour?

You can use your flour immediately warm from the mill, which yields incredible aroma and enzyme activity. If you mill in advance, I recommend keeping fresh flour in the freezer for up to six months to prevent the natural oils from oxidizing.

Do I need to adjust water when baking with fresh flour?

Yes. Freshly milled whole wheat absorbs more liquid than conventional flour because the bran and germ are completely intact. You will often want to increase your liquid slightly.  I always allow my dough to rest (autolyse) for 20 to 30 minutes before kneading so the bran can fully hydrate.

I also leave my pancake, muffin, cookie batter resting in the liquids to absorbe the bran as well, resulting in a fluffy and smooth baked good.

Can I sift fresh whole wheat flour?

You can!  While unsifted flour provides maximum nutrition, passing your flour through a fine mesh sieve allows you to remove larger flakes of bran. This gives you a lighter, high-extraction flour that is perfect for delicate pastries, sandwich bread, or pasta.  Some people will set aside the bran and let it autolyse, and then incorporate it back into their recipe.

Where can I find recipes designed for fresh flour?

You can use fresh milled flour in any existing recipe you already have!

If you are looking for fresh-milled specific recipes, you can explore a few recipes linked at the bottom of the Home Page.  I linked receipes that I have made many times!

Sandwich loaves, cinnamon rolls, and muffins are my family's top favourites!

Ready to mill your own flour?

Stock your kitchen pantry with Albertan wheat berries and start experiencing the wholesome flavour and nutritional benefits of true fresh flour.