How to Mill Spelt or Khorasan Into Fresh Flour at Home

If you have ever wondered whether you can turn whole Spelt or Khorasan berries into flour at home, the answer is yes. One of the biggest advantages of buying whole grain is that you can choose when and how to mill it.

Idaho Ancient Grains sells both Spelt and Khorasan as whole berries and specifically encourages home bakers to grind their grain into flour. The farm also uses these ancient grains across breads, pancakes, waffles, sourdough and other recipes.

This guide explains the basic process, what equipment you need, how fine to mill the grain, and how to use the flour once it is ready.

What Does It Mean to Mill Whole Grain?

Milling means grinding whole grain kernels into flour. At home, a grain mill lets you process only the amount you need and choose a grind suited to the recipe.

Can You Mill Spelt and Khorasan at Home?

Yes. Both can be milled at home. Idaho Ancient Grains specifically recommends a grain mill for grinding its Spelt or Khorasan berries into flour. You do not need to mill an entire bag at once.

What Do You Need to Mill Grain?

A suitable home grain mill, whole Spelt or Khorasan berries, and a clean, dry container for the flour are the basic requirements.

Step 1: Measure Your Grain

Measure the amount needed for your recipe. If experimenting, weigh the grain before milling so you can compare results between bakes.

Step 2: Set Your Mill

Choose a setting appropriate for the recipe. Fine flour is generally used for baking, while a coarse grind can be used for cracked-grain preparations. Follow your mill manufacturer's instructions.

Step 3: Mill the Grain

Feed the berries through the mill according to its instructions. If your equipment allows it, you can adjust the grind and process the flour again.

Step 4: Use the Flour in Your Recipe

Freshly milled Spelt or Khorasan can be used in bread, sourdough, pancakes, waffles, banana bread, pizza crust and cinnamon rolls. Idaho Ancient Grains' recipe collection includes examples across these categories.

How Fine Should Spelt Flour Be?

For most bread and baking recipes, start with a fine flour setting. If making cracked-grain cereal, use a much coarser grind. Idaho Ancient Grains' Spelt cereal recipe specifically calls for coarse-ground cracked Spelt.

How Fine Should Khorasan Flour Be?

For standard baking, Khorasan can be milled into a fine flour. Idaho Ancient Grains also offers Khorasan as white all-purpose flour for recipes where a refined flour texture is preferred.

Can Freshly Milled Flour Be Used Immediately?

Yes. Freshly milled flour can be used directly in a recipe. Pay attention to the dough or batter rather than assuming it will behave exactly like commercially milled flour.

How Do You Substitute Fresh-Milled Spelt?

Idaho Ancient Grains says Spelt can be substituted into most recipes calling for flour, although minor adjustments and practice may be needed. Start with a familiar recipe and change only the flour.

How Do You Substitute Fresh-Milled Khorasan?

Khorasan can be used in many everyday recipes. Idaho Ancient Grains recommends starting with about 25% less Khorasan flour when substituting it into a favorite recipe because Khorasan absorbs water readily.

Can You Mill Spelt and Khorasan Together?

Yes. You can mill a blend or mill each grain separately and combine the flours. Idaho Ancient Grains regularly recommends mixing grains in bread and other baking.

Fresh-Milled Flour Troubleshooting

The flour is too coarse

Adjust the mill according to its instructions and use a finer setting if your equipment supports it.

The dough is too dense

Check flour-to-liquid balance, mixing and fermentation. Idaho Ancient Grains notes that Spelt can sometimes produce heavier bread when used alone and recommends experimenting with blends.

The dough is too wet

Do not immediately add a large amount of flour. Make small adjustments and note the result for your next bake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a grain mill to make fresh Spelt flour?

Yes. A grain mill is the practical tool for turning whole Spelt berries into flour at home.

Can I mill Khorasan wheat into flour?

Yes. Idaho Ancient Grains sells Khorasan as whole berries and describes using it for home milling and baking.

Can I use freshly milled Spelt for sourdough?

Yes. Idaho Ancient Grains says Spelt does well in sourdough recipes.

Can I use freshly milled Khorasan for bread?

Yes. Idaho Ancient Grains uses Khorasan in bread and sourdough and says it can make great bread by itself.

Can I mix Spelt and Khorasan flour?

Yes. The farm regularly mixes these grains in bread and other baking.

Can I make cereal from whole Spelt?

Yes. Idaho Ancient Grains recommends coarse-grinding Spelt into cracked Spelt and cooking it as hot cereal.

The Bottom Line

Home milling gives you another way to use whole Spelt and Khorasan. Instead of buying only pre-milled flour, you can keep whole berries on hand and mill what you need for each recipe.

Start with a familiar recipe, use an appropriate grind, make small adjustments and keep notes about your results.

Once you are comfortable with the process, you can experiment with different grain blends, sourdough, bread, pancakes, waffles and cracked-grain cereal.