What is buckwheat?
Buckwheat is technically not a grain (and is actually related to rhubarb) but can be used in much the same way, simmered until soft and tossed through salads or in soups and stews. It can be ground into flour which is famous in France as an ingredient in crêpes, and is also used to make Japanese soba noodles. Buckwheat has no gluten so can be used in gluten-free baking recipes.
Where to buy buckwheat
LOVE Life Buckwheat, £1.99/375g, Waitrose
Buy Whole Foods Online Organic Buckwheat, £6.66/1kg, Amazon
Buy Whole Foods Online Organic Buckwheat Flour £7.32/1kg, Amazon
Buckwheat recipes
Buckwheat tarts with rice pudding and blackberries
This pretty dessert recipe comes from Olia Hercules and makes a great gluten-free dessert.
Snackbar rice bowl with karaage chicken
This colourful rice bowl from Dalston restaurant Snackbar is comforting, healthy-ish and full of wonderful textures and flavours: from Japanese crunchy fried chicken and zingy pickles, to a gooey, creamy egg yolk and crispy, earthy buckwheat.
Buckwheat pancakes
This recipe for cinnamon, gluten-free buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup, yogurt, and fresh raspberries comes in at under 300 calories per serving.
