Wonderful Wheat Berries
I finally got my hands on some wheat berries! For months, I’ve been curious to try them, especially since I was seeing them all over the blogs, mixed into yummy-looking bowls of oats.
So, what is a wheat berry?
From Wikipedia:”The term wheatberry or wheat berry refers to the entire wheat kernel (except for the hull), comprising the bran, germ, and endosperm. Wheatberries have a tan to reddish brown color and are available as either a hard or soft processed grain. They are often added to salads or baked into bread to add a crunchy texture; as a whole grain, they also provide nutritional benefits since they are an excellent source of dietary fiber.”
My first experience with wheat berries was excellent! 
The flavor is slightly nutty, and the texture is hearty and chewy. Wheat berries actually remind me a lot of bulgar, but larger in size.
How I made my wheat berries: I bought about 2 cups from the bulk bins at Whole Foods, took them home, soaked them in water overnight*, and simmered them the following morning on the stove top for about 35-45 minutes. And let me tell you, those 2 cups made a TON of wheat berries! I totally got my money’s worth! 
I am storing my wheat berries in an airtight container in the fridge.
* Kath says that she skips the soaking step and just simmers the wheat berries in water on her stove top. To tell ya the truth, the soaking did seem like an extra step in the process, so I’ll probably skip it next time.
In today’s oats:
- 1/3 cup dry oats
- 1/3 cup wheat berries
- 5 dates, chopped
- 1/4 cup vanilla soy milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 scoop almond butter (from my mom’s work)
Don’t Forget to Vote!!!
Thanks to all of you who said they voted for my pizza!!! I really appreciate it! I know Mal does, too! Remember, you can vote once a day, so be sure to visit the Boboli site everyday! And once you register all of your information, you only need to enter your email address to vote again. It’s much easier once you set up your “account.” Please vote for my Autumn Maple Bacon Pizza! 
Question of the Day
What food(s) have you purchased/tried from seeing and/or reading about them on the food blogs?
Tags: dates, wheat berries
Mara — January 13, 2009 @ 9:37 am
I absolutely love wheatberries! I made a pilaf with them with mushrooms once and it was wonderful.
Blog-food: LARABARS, Clif Bars, and various recipes.
Nicole — January 13, 2009 @ 9:42 am
I’ve never tried wheatberries before! Thank you for the instructions, I just might have to try them out.
ashley — January 13, 2009 @ 9:42 am
I’ve been wanting to try wheat berries since Kath was all over them a while ago but I still can’t find them anywhere around me. Good luck with the TV!
Liz — January 13, 2009 @ 9:44 am
I haven’t been reading food blogs for long enough to have tried something because of them. However, I really love oatmeal and all types of grains, and I think I might have to try wheatberries or Bulgar if I see them around.
bobbi — January 13, 2009 @ 9:44 am
I have been wanting to try these but I cant find them anywhere!!!!! lol…I have tried so many different things from other blogs, recipes, nut butters, different milks….thanks for sharing about the wheatberries hope I can find them!
Sarah (Tales of Expansion) — January 13, 2009 @ 9:47 am
I LOVE wheatberries!! (And I never soak either.) The texture is just so incredibly satisfying, and you’re right about the nutty flavor. They’re also delicious warm and mixed into salads (I love to do it in Greek salad, but that’s prob more of a summer thing). Off to vote for the pizza again …
Meg — January 13, 2009 @ 9:48 am
I have been curious about the wheat berries for a long time! They look so yummy!
I’ll keep voting for your pizza!
Allison — January 13, 2009 @ 9:53 am
I have tried Barney Butter because of your blog! I have also tried Fage, larabars, Clif bars and several random things from Whole Foods.
VeggieGirl — January 13, 2009 @ 10:04 am
**To answer your question = PUFFINS!!!!!!!
Sarah — January 13, 2009 @ 10:05 am
those wheatberries sound awesome! how’s their fiber & protein content compare to other grains like quinoa, bulgar, etc?
From reading other blogs I’ve tried:
VitaSoy Chocolate Peppermint Soymilk (love love love)
brussel sprouts (love love love)
Jocolat (do NOT like these)
Larabar (do NOT like these)
among other goodies
Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter) — January 13, 2009 @ 10:08 am
Oh right, I gotta vote – thanks for the reminder! I first discovered Barney Butter through blogs…I think from http://www.mizfitonline.com. Anyway, I love it so much. I also read about my other favorite nut butter, Naturally Nutty, on blogs. I spend way too much money on online nut butter orders!
Tina — January 13, 2009 @ 10:10 am
@Sarah: I’m not sure exactly, but the Whole Foods website has a lot of information about the various grains out there.
Mark — January 13, 2009 @ 10:16 am
I love wheat berries! I always get them at the bulk bins in Whole Foods.
I’ve tried many things because of blogs … Ezekial products, Medjool Dates (your blog), and Z-bars to name a few. I love all the new things I find.
HangryPants — January 13, 2009 @ 10:16 am
That was from me, not Mark … it’s weird sharing a computer now that we live together!!!
Leah — January 13, 2009 @ 10:22 am
I’ve tried flaxseed and larabars, and numerous recipes.
Quinn — January 13, 2009 @ 10:22 am
Adoras and Larabars.
Bridget — January 13, 2009 @ 10:30 am
Yay for your pizza!!! I hope Mal gets his TV!!
I made some wheatberries a little while ago for soup, but I have yet to try them in my oats!
Reading other blogs definintely got me more into oatmeal…esp with all the fun toppings! (like white choc. PB!!). I have yet to order some Barney butter but I have come really close at times. Blogs have also made me re-discover larabars. I tried them once a while ago, wasnt a huge fan, saw them all over blogs and re0tried them and now love them.
Andrea (Andrea's Eats) — January 13, 2009 @ 10:30 am
I think I first purshaes the Arnold Sandwich thins after seeing them on a blog.
Dori — January 13, 2009 @ 10:42 am
I bought Peanut Butter Puffins after reading about them on the blogs – and I have plans to make sweet potato fries and Pumpkin French Toast at some point!
kristin — January 13, 2009 @ 10:43 am
Kale, soy milk, indian food, tofu, brussell sprouts, steel cut oats, canned salmon (don’t like), hemp milk, jenna’s red cabbage and olive oil cake, tried baking vegan cookies and probably many other things!
Hilary — January 13, 2009 @ 10:51 am
Oh man I’ve tried lots of stuff from blogs!
pumpkin (There are SO many uses!! Def my favorite find)
larabars
Greek yogurt
(voted!!)
cbinkc — January 13, 2009 @ 10:55 am
Where to begin? Kashi Heart to Heart, almond butter, fage yogurt, chobani yogurt, lara bars, clif bars, z bars, wheatberries, nutritional yeast, etc, etc, etc….
Missy (Missy Maintains) — January 13, 2009 @ 10:56 am
I love wheatberries! I have never tried to make them but a groumet market around my work has a wheatberrie cranberry salad in the salad bar!
I have tried pumpkin butter from reading about it in blogs! So delicious!!
http://www.missymaintains.blogspot.com
Lindsey (Mrs. LC) — January 13, 2009 @ 10:56 am
From seeing blogs I’ve tried Greek yogurt (particularly Chobani!) and Larabars….I think everything else I’ve seen/ tried on my own. Off to go vote for you again!
Victoria — January 13, 2009 @ 10:58 am
Definitely Puffins and Z-Bars. Good luck with your pizza!!
joyful — January 13, 2009 @ 11:00 am
The things I’ve tried based on blogs are greek yogurt and cottage cheese in various recipes. I want to try peanut butter stuffed dates and Larabars and maybe peanut butter puffins!
Rose — January 13, 2009 @ 11:00 am
Thanks for posting the info about the wheat berries!
Since blogging, there has definitely been a better assortment of nuts in my household – along with items like Granola Planks. Yum!
Inna — January 13, 2009 @ 11:03 am
I started eating nonfat greek yogurt instead of flavored yogurt because of foodblogs- and now i’ve started making those yogurt mixes in the mornings like many bloggies do!
i also found larabars through the blog world- good find!
K — January 13, 2009 @ 11:06 am
Glad to hear you liked them!!
For me: Greek yogurt, Clif bars, Larabars, Pure Protein, and Puffins! Gotta love the blog world
Sarah (lovINmytummy) — January 13, 2009 @ 11:17 am
I’ve never tried wheat berries, but will have to soon!
New flog foods for me: Larabars, poms, PB puffins, and medjool dates. All are now staples!
Anna — January 13, 2009 @ 11:18 am
I definitely credit food blogs with really expanding my recipe and product repertoire. I’ve gotten hooked on Z-bars, Ezekiel bread, hemp milk, Sabra hummus (no other hummus compares!) pumpkin butter, and most of all… I’m now a dedicated oatmeal breakfast eater!
Ashley — January 13, 2009 @ 11:33 am
blogs got me into oatmeal, larabars, trying out different nut butters, and exekiel bread!
so many great new foods!
rhodeygirl — January 13, 2009 @ 11:57 am
larabars, oatmeal with peanut butter and bananas, z-bars, natural nut butters, jenna’s olive oil cake.
Danielle — January 13, 2009 @ 12:04 pm
Goodness the blogs got me into so many foods, larabars, clif bars, and greek yogurt.
And now I can’t wait to try wheatberries.
Joe C — January 13, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
My family soaks wheat berries to use in Italian Grain Pie. It’s probably not too heathly but it got whole grains and it’s tasty!
Marianne — January 13, 2009 @ 12:24 pm
To answer your question – here’s a list: medjool dates, puffins, larabars, almond milk, coconut butter, flavoured peanut butters, delicata squash…hmmmm….I’m sure there is more, but that’s all I can think off the top of my head.
I have some wheatberries in my cupboard I should really get around to cooking.
April — January 13, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
I have tried SOOOO many things because of your blog, Jenna’s blog, and Kath’s blog…..wheatberries, Peanut Butter Puffins (I think I’m addicted!), coconut ice cream, soy pudding (I was not a fan), ZBars, stovetop banana oatmeal, the list goes on and on
April — January 13, 2009 @ 12:32 pm
oh, also kale chips and greek yogurt (which I now love!)
JE — January 13, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
Believe it or not, I had no idea what a Trader Joe’s was until reading food blogs and it turns out there is one not far from where I live. I love that store.
Other products: Fage, coconut flakes, almond butter, spaghetti squash, quiona, soy milk, kale…I could go on! Great question.
Go Autumn Maple Bacon!
Adi — January 13, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
If you can’t find wheatberries anywhere, check for “soft kernels”. They’re the same thing, just a different name
Allison K — January 13, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
Oh man, I have tried sooo many things thank to blogs:
greek yogurt, Larabars, add-ins to my oatmeal, dates, figs, kale, polenta, zbars….etc etc etc.
Not to mention the recipes…
Pearl — January 13, 2009 @ 1:11 pm
autumn maple bacon pizza? wow!
Julie — January 13, 2009 @ 2:23 pm
Good question! I’ve learned about and tried Larabars, kale, oatmeal from the canister instead of the instant mix kind, wheatberries, barley, Chobani yogurt, almond butter (!!!)…so many good things – my husband thinks I’m crazy!
Ashley C. — January 13, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
I’ve also expanded my food horizons a lot because of food blogs. I just bought and tried Almond milk for the first time last night and thought it was pretty good. Do you ever use it or have any good uses for it? I used it in my oatmeal this morning and it was good & I noticed the oatmeal pot seemed easier to clean! Some others I’ve tried from blogs are: greek yogurt, larabars, oatmeal (love it now!!), zbars, puffins, ezekiel breads, and many more
Graze with Me — January 13, 2009 @ 2:47 pm
I’ve tried that breakfast oatmeal cookie that I see everywhere but I don’t think I did it right, are you supposed to eat it cold?
Tina — January 13, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
@Graze with Me: I’m not sure what this breakfast oatmeal cookie is all about? Sounds delicious though!
Amy — January 13, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
here’s a great use for your wheatberries. everything ina garten is amazing!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/wheatberry-salad-recipe/index.html
emily — January 13, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
I’ve gotten more into Lara bars after food blogs and I am currently on my own quest for wheatberries
Shelby — January 13, 2009 @ 3:28 pm
I LOVE wheatberries, they just take so long to cook!
susan — January 13, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
Apparently I am a sucker because I’ve tried Barney Butter, Justin’s Nut Butter, Kind bars, Honest John squares, many other bars, steel cut oats, Fage, bulgar, couscous, flaxseed meal, and many types of frozen dinners because of blogs!
Becca A — January 13, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
I’ve got quite the list but the faves are fage, larabars, dates, and almond butter.
Natalie Rae — January 13, 2009 @ 5:11 pm
chobani yogurt, tofu, brussel sprouts, LARA bars, Cliff bars, peanut butter again, sweet potato fries, figs, & blueberry Zbars
Karen — January 13, 2009 @ 9:06 pm
Chobani, Friendship Whipped Cottage Cheese, Larabars, Clifbars, Tofu….mmmm getting hungry again!
Julie — January 13, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
Since this fits in so well with the question today, I wanted to let you know that I just started a blog! It’s geared toward living a healthy life in the real world, trying to eat whole foods, get some exercise, and feel good in the skin I’m in!!
maris — January 13, 2009 @ 11:57 pm
I have been wanting to try a wheatberry salad recipe ever since I had a delicious one at a friend’s holiday party. It was wheat berries mixed with cranberries, long grain rice and some other yummy veggies and herbs. And your Autumn Maple Bacon pizza sounds DELISH! Good luck
Courtney — January 15, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
Wow, what foods HAVEN’T I tried after seeing them on food blogs? Honestly, I started eating and loving oatmeal after seeing it every day [and so beautifully!] on Kath’s blog. I tried navy beans after hearing her rave about them as well. I’ve been all around more experimental in the kitchen, and finding that I truly love cooking since reading/starting my own food blog! I’m even thinking about going to culinary school after finishing my bachelor’s degree!
Courtney — January 15, 2009 @ 5:12 pm
Oh I’ve also tried cottage cheese after seeing it all over, and now I eat it in EVERYTHING, and I had never even seen Larabars, Clif Bars, or the equivalents in stores until I went looking for them because I HAD to try them. Unfortunately, the stores around here must not sell many of them, because they only sell a couple of flavors. I’ll find more eventually!
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[...] finally got around to making another batch of wheatberries last night, which was a nice surprise when I remembered them this morning. Wheatberries just add a [...]