Sorghum flour may not be considered a common household staple in the United States yet, but the knowledge of its health benefits and versatility may change that fact. Around the world, particularly in Africa and Asia, it has been used for thousands of years. It is considered the fifth more important cereal crop worldwide because it can be used for human consumption, animal feed and fuel. It is also very drought tolerant, so it is easy to grow in nearly any climate. In the United States, it is generally used for livestock, but companies like Hampton Foods are changing that by using it in their ready-made pancake batter.
Sorghum is a cereal grain that is high in insoluble fiber and is more slowly digested than other types of flour. This keeps people feeling full longer and is helpful to diabetics because the slower rate of digestion prevents blood sugar spikes. Sorghum is also 100 percent gluten free, so it the perfect choice for making bread, pancakes and pizza dough for people with Celiac disease. The nutritional benefits of this flour are impressive too. It is one of the healthiest flours available and has a higher level of fiber and protein than rice flour.
Using sorghum provides a sweet flavor that works well with many baked goods. However, using it in baked goods is challenging for people who are accustomed to wheat or white flour. It can make the final product too dry or prevent it from rising as expected. Most people will need to experiment with the flour before they are comfortable with how to use it and familiar with the many substitutions or additions each recipe will need in order to have a satisfactory result.
Before attempting this much experimentation many cooks prefer to sample products made with the flour to make certain they like the flavor and texture. By using Sorghum in Pancakes Hampton Creek has made it easy for people to know what to expect. Pancakes are a common food that many people enjoy and know what to expect and how the prefer them. By using the pre-mixed batter is an easy step that anyone can perform to have a sorghum-based product to try. Even better is the fact that Hampton’s batter is also vegan as well as gluten-free, soy free and made from only organic ingredients.