Discover Millet

By: Cassidy Stockton | August 3 2013

Let me start by saying that millet is one of my favorite grains. In fact, it's one of my favorite Bob's Red Mill products. We see it most often in birdseed blends, but it's been popular across Asia for thousands of years. Millet was revered as one of five sacred crops in ancient China and was first farmed 10,000 years ago. Millet is mentioned in the Old Testament, the writings of Herodotus, and the journals of Marco Polo. Clearly, I'm not alone in my love of millet.

Millet has a mild, sweet flavor and quick cooking time, making it a tasty, convenient, whole grain addition to any meal of the day. Unlike most other grains, this versatile, gluten free grain is alkaline, which makes it easy to digest and helps balance the body’s natural tendency towards acidity.

Enjoy whole grain millet as a unique alternative to rice in salads and stir fries. Cook millet for a sweet breakfast porridge or add uncooked millet to breads for a crunchy texture. Serve millet with a drizzle of olive oil, and a dash of salt, and pepper in place of mashed potatoes for a delightful side that will enhance any meal. It's also a good source of iron! The light flavor of millet allows it to be sweet or savory, which means the possibilities are endless. Luckily, we have developed some delicious recipes for millet to help get you started. Millet Spring Roll Salad combines all of the wonderful flavors of spring rolls without the effort of making them! Whip up these Spinach and Lemon Millet Arancini for your next party and bask in the praise for your culinary prowess. Serve these Millet Burgers with Olives, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Pecorino from Grain Mains for your next Meatless Monday to the delight of your family.

by Cassidy Stockton

14 Comments

Dianna
October 20 2015 at 7:17 am
Can millet flour be used in yeast breads? If so, can you share a bread recipe?
Thank you!

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1. Cassidy Stockton
  October 21 2015 at 9:19 am
  Yes, millet flour can be used in breads, but I'm afraid the only recipe we have for bread is using the bread machine: http://www.bobsredmill.com/recipes/how-to-make/millet-bread-for-the-bread-machine/
  
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Jen
May 1 2016 at 7:30 am
What species of millet is the Bob's Red Mill millet? Thanks

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1. Cassidy Stockton
  May 2 2016 at 9:06 am
  We buy the Panicum Miliaceum variety
  
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PerfuraIndia
May 17 2020 at 9:32 pm
Thanks for the wonderful blogs

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perfuraindia
June 8 2020 at 4:50 am
Really a very helpful post. This is really great information. Thanks for sharing this information with us.

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Denis Bekaert
August 20 2021 at 8:04 pm
What is the country of origin of your millet grain ?

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1. Whitney Barnes
  August 23 2021 at 12:10 pm
  Hi Denis! Our Millet is grown in both the USA and Canada.
  
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Pamela Bennett
May 8 2022 at 6:26 am
I purchased your millet flour hoping to bake some muffins that use only millet flour. Do you have any recipes for breads or muffins that use only millet flour? I especially like blueberry or pumpkin muffins.
Your article, “Discover Millet” was very informative and you have several recipes for your hulled millet that I am going to try.

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1. Elisabeth Allie
  May 16 2022 at 4:18 pm
  Like many gluten free flours, you'll get the best result by using millet flour combined with other flours. Here's one of our favorite recipes: https://www.bobsredmill.com/recipes/how-to-make/soft-and-fluffy-gluten-free-cinnamon-rolls
  
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Nancy
October 17 2023 at 12:06 pm
I’ve read that all millet should be soaked for 6 hours before cooking to remove the phytic acid which prevents the absorption of nutrients. Is this true of your Whole Grain Millet?
Also, what is the difference between your hulled millet vs your regular millet?

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1. Elisabeth Allie
  October 17 2023 at 2:55 pm
  Hi Nancy! Our Whole Grain Millet is hulled, is that what you mean? We also have Millet Flour.
  
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  1. Nancy
    October 17 2023 at 8:22 pm
    After further reading I understand now what hulled millet means, and that your Whole Grain Millet is indeed hulled.
    I am curious though, if you know if the Whole Grain Millet should be soaked before cooking to remove the phytic acid to allow better absorption of the nutrients millet contains.
    
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    1. Elisabeth Allie
      October 18 2023 at 2:42 pm
      Our millet doesn't require soaking before cooking, but you're welcome to do so if you prefer! We have not done independent testing regarding antinutrients in any of our products or soaking to reduce phytic acid prior to cooking. Some customers do soak grains before cooking, which may help to reduce the phytic acid content to some degree, but as we haven't tested phytic acid content before and after cooking, we don't have research to support these claims; speaking with a nutritionist or medical professional may be helpful for more specific information.
      
      I'm sorry we do not have more information to share on this subject.
      
      Reply ↓

Discover Millet

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