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Just Fresh Milled
Grain
ancient grain
Ancient
beginner

Spelt

An ancient hexaploid wheat with mellow flavor and easy hydration.

Primary uses

sandwich bread
rolls
muffins
pancakes

Spelt is an ancient hexaploid wheat with mild flavor and moderate gluten, making it the most beginner-friendly ancient grain for everyday baking.

Key Takeaways

  • Easier than einkorn
  • Do not over-knead
  • Tender, slightly sweet crumb

About Spelt

Spelt is a forgiving ancient grain with moderate gluten strength. It produces tender, slightly sweet breads with excellent keeping quality. Easier to bake with than einkorn but still requires a gentle hand.

Baking characteristics

Milling notes

Mills very fine. Sift for pastries.

Hydration

Hydrate at 68–72%. Spelt gluten breaks down faster than wheat — do not over-knead.

Best uses

Sandwich Bread

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Sourdough

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Pizza

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Pancakes

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Cookies

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Muffins

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Recommended Recipes

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Recipe
bread

Beginner Fresh Milled Sandwich Bread

A soft, tall, freezer-friendly sandwich loaf made with 100% fresh milled hard white wheat.

Recipe
bread

100% Spelt Sandwich Bread

A soft, tender 100% fresh-milled spelt sandwich loaf with a tight even crumb — designed to slice cleanly without crumbling.

Recommended Techniques

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Technique
beginner

How to Autolyse Fresh Milled Flour

Combine flour and water and let it rest before adding yeast and salt. Bran softens, gluten develops passively, and the final dough is dramatically easier to handle.

Common Problems

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Troubleshooting
texture

Why does my loaf crumble when sliced?

Slices fall apart, especially the heel.

Troubleshooting
flavor

Why does my fresh milled bread taste bitter?

Bread with a harsh, bitter, or astringent aftertaste rather than sweet, nutty whole-grain flavor.

Troubleshooting
flavor

Why does my bread taste like raw flour?

Bread looks baked but has a chalky, pasty, or raw-flour mouthfeel and aftertaste.

Comparisons

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Comparison

Einkorn vs Spelt: Which Ancient Grain Should You Bake With?

Einkorn is older, more nutritious, and lower in gluten; spelt is easier to bake with and closer to modern wheat.

Recommended Mills

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Mill
$$

Mockmill 100

The most popular entry-level stone mill for home bakers. Compact, quiet, and extremely easy to use.

Frequently Asked Questions