Khorasan wheat
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| Company type | Privately Held Company |
|---|---|
| Founded | Big Sandy in Choteau County, Montana |
| Founder | T. Mack Quinn and Son Bob Quinn |
Key people | Bob Quinn, President Trevor Blyth, CEO |
| Products | KAMUT® Khorasan Grain |
| Website | www.kamut.com |
KAMUT® Brand Khorasan wheat, an ancient and organic grain type produced and distributed by Kamut International Ltd. This grain is two times larger than modern day wheat and is known for its rich nutty flavor.
Taxonomy
Original botanical identifications were uncertain. The variety is a form of Triticum turanicum (also known as T. turgidum subsp. turanicum), Khorasan wheat. Identifications sometimes seen as T. polonicum are incorrect as the variety, although long-grained, lacks the long glumes of this species. Recent genetic evidence from DNA fingerprinting suggests that the variety is perhaps derived from a natural hybrid between T. durum and T. polonicum, which would explain past difficulties in arriving at a certain classification.[1] The variety is lower yielding, with typical yields of 1.0–1.3 tonnes per hectare (15–19 bu/ac) and is more susceptible to disease and mold from moisture than modern wheat varieties as it has not been bred to improve its agronomic characteristics.[2]
History
Origin
The exact origin of khorasan is unknown. It is possible that this ancient grain, like many other ancient varieties, originated in the Fertile Crescent. Many stories surround its origin. One says the grain was found in the tombs of the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs, hence the nickname; "King Tut's Wheat".[3] Another legend is that Noah used the grain on the ark resulting in the nickname “Prophet’s wheat.” Other legends surmise it was brought over by invading armies into Egypt. In Turkey, it has the nickname “Camel's Tooth” due to its hump back shape.
Timeline of Rediscovery
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 1949 | A US Airman receives 32 kernels of wheat from Egypt, which he sends to his father’s farm in Fort Benton, MT |
| 1950-1964 | Wheat grown and called “King Tut’s Wheat” but little commercial interest is found. It is grown in small plots around the area and in 1964 is sold at the local country fair. |
| 1965-1976 | The grain loses popularity and seemingly disappears from production. |
| 1977-1985 | Bob Quinn (Future founder and president of Kamut International) remembers the grain and contacts the Corn Nuts Company to discuss product possibilities. The company shows interest and a small amount is located in Fort Benton, MT. The Corn Nuts® company later loses interest, but Bob continues to grow the grain. |
| 1986 | The grain is shown at the Natural Products Expo for the first time in Anaheim,CA. Due to interest there the grain is grown in larger quantities. |
| 1988-1989 | The grain is used by the Royal Angelus Macaroni Company, and the Oasis Breads Company under the KAMUT® Brand Name. |
| 1990 | KAMUT becomes a registered trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office. |
| 1991-Present | The popularity of KAMUT brand wheat grows and is introduced in many different countries in various products around the world. |
Intellectual Property
Name
The name KAMUT is the registered trademark and brand name used to sell the grain variety khorasan. The word Kamut stems from the ancient hieroglyphic language meaning wheat. [5]
Reasons for the Trademark
Kamut International uses the KAMUT® trademark to protect and preserve the ancient grain variety khorasan. The grain differs from modern day varieties because it has not been modified through modern breeding practices or genetic modification. Any khorasan that is sold using “KAMUT” (i.e as KAMUT® brand wheat) must meet specific qualifications to ensure purity, variety preservation and quality.[6]
The following specifications are laid out by Kamut International Ltd.
KAMUT® brand wheat must:
1. Be the ancient khorasan variety of wheat
2. Be grown only as a certified organic grain
3. Have a protein range of 12 – 18%
4. Be 99% free of contaminating varieties of modern wheat
5. Be 98% free of all signs of disease
6. Contain between 400 and 1000 ppb of selenium
7. Not be used in products in which the name is deceptive or misleading as to the content percentage
8. Not be mixed with modern wheat in pasta
History of the Logo
Early in the company’s history the main market regions of North America and Europe developed somewhat independently. As a result different logos were used in North America and Europe. In 2008 the European logo was revised and is now used globally to unify the brand.
The registered trademark “KAMUT” is placed boldly as the focal point of the logo. The word “Original” was initially is used to represent the purity of the grain, but was later replaced by the word “khorasan” as this is the actual name of the wheat variety. Both the pyramids at the top and the Egyptian Ankh Cross at the bottom give semblance to the storied Egyptian origins of the grain. Later the Ankh Cross was replaced with heads of wheat. The color scheme of gold, orange and brown is intended to evoke feelings and images of fields of wheat.
The diamond logo is commonly placed on packaging as a seal of quality due to the fact that customers must sign a free trademark licensing agreement which outlines certain standards or requirements in order to use the KAMUT trademark or logo.
[7]
A 3 logos representing the transition for the company
Use
KAMUT is sold in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. It can be found in products such as breads, breakfast cereals, pastas, a grain extract drink, beer, cookies, and crackers. The grain can be cooked and eaten whole.
Some people who have wheat allergy, and thus avoid wheat, are able to eat some forms of KAMUT Khorasan wheat.[8] However, as a wheat species, it is definitely unsuitable for those with coeliac disease.
Production
KAMUT® Khorasan products are sold world wide.
| File:KAMUT Product Locations.png |
| North America and Caribbean | South America | Oceania | Europe | Africa | Asia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Suppliers
Kamut International distributes grain globally. Each major continent has a main supplier who distributes the grain to manufacturers.
Australia: Buckwheat Enterprises
Canada: Artesian Acres
Europe: Ostara
United States: Montana Flour and Grains
Products
KAMUT Brand Khorasan Wheat is used in many different ways and many different products including pasta, hot and cold cereals, breads, etc. The grain kernels can be milled into flour. The actual wheat grains can be soaked and used in salads. Even the wheatgrass can be harvested to be an ingredient in many different supplements.
Health and Nutrition
KAMUT Brand Khorasan wheat is considered an ancient grain. Because it hasn't been modified with modern agricultural methods it has many benefits. The grain itself is very high in its protein content. It also contains a high mineral concentration especially in selenium, zinc, and magnesium. This grain variety is considered a high energy wheat, and provides the body with more energy in the form of complex carbohydrates. Because of its low oxidation levels it loses little nutritional content when being ground and processed. Even though this wheat variety contains gluten, it has been found to be more easily digestible by people who may have slight allergic tendencies.[9]
References
- ^ Khlestkina, Elena K.; Röder, Marion S.; Grausgruber, Heinrich; Börner, Andreas (2006). "A DNA fingerprinting-based taxonomic allocation of Kamut wheat". Plant Genetic Resources. 4: 172–180. doi:10.1079/PGR2006120.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|doi_brokendate=ignored (|doi-broken-date=suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Origin and Taxonomy". KAMUT Khorasan Wheat. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
- ^ Clyde Reichelt (1964). "King Tut Wheat, "Corn of Egypt's Ancients"" (PDF). Great Falls Tribune: 1-4.
- ^ "Introduction of KAMUT Into Production". Retrieved 2010-02-04.
- ^ Budge, E.A. Wallis (1920). An Egyptian Hieroglyphic Dictionary Vol. 2. London, England: John Murray. p. 788.
- ^ Maurizo Canavari, Pamela Lombardi, Roberta Spandoni (2010). "Evaluation of the Potential Interest of Italian Retail Distribution Chains for Kamut-Based Products". Journal of Food Products Marketing: 40. doi:10.1080/1045440903415618.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "One Logo, One Look" (PDF). Kamut International Ltd. January 2008. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ "Research". KAMUT Khorasan Wheat.
- ^ Grubb, Toma (2007). "Super Foods that Heal-KAMUT". Retrieved 2010-03-22.
External links
- KAMUT Khorasan Wheat official site
- Sacks, Gordon (2005). "Kamut: A New Old Grain". Gastronomica. 5 (4): 95–98. doi:10.1525/gfc.2005.5.4.95.
- Quinn, R.M. (1999). "Kamut: Ancient grain, new cereal". In Janick, J. (ed.). Perspectives on new crops and new uses. ASHS Press, Alexandria. pp. 182–183.
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