What Is Farro?

It looks like a lighter brown rice or maybe a longer barley—but make no mistake, farro is its own type of grain. What is farro, exactly? Today, we’re spotlighting this multifaceted ancient grain (we’re not being derogatory, this stuff’s been around forever!). Let’s take a deep dive into the wide world of farro! 

What is farro grain?

Farro is a chewy, nutty grain that is eaten plain as a side dish (like rice) or used as an ingredient in salads and soups. It is a versatile pantry staple, particularly in Mediterranean cooking. As we said before, farro is an ancient grain, going back 20,000 years with roots in Mesopotamia. 

There are three types of farro: quick-cooking pearled farro (all grain, no bran), semi-pearled farro (some bran), and whole grain farro (full bran, baby). 

Is farro wheat?

Yes, farro is wheat. In fact, farro can come from three different wheat varietals: einkorn, emmer, or spelt. Farro falls under the banner of “hulled wheat,” which is wheat that cannot be threshed. Threshing is when you separate the edible grain from a plant by beating it in some way. But not farro. It’s tough stuff. Trust us, don’t even TRY to thresh it. It’s more work to get those edible farro grains off the wheat plant. But it’s worth it. 

Is farro a whole grain?

Farro can be a whole grain if it retains the bran. If you’re eating pearled farro, though, you’re not eating a whole grain. If you want all the nutritious benefits of farro, opt for a whole grain variety. That way, you’ll get all the protein, fiber, and other nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and B vitamins. Who would have thought such a miniscule grain could contain such multitudes? 

What does farro taste like?

Farro is nutty and earthy and a little bit sweet—in the same way that barley or oats can be sweet. Cooked correctly, it’s delightfully chewy. 

Is farro gluten free?

Farro is a type of wheat, so it does contain gluten. If you’re looking for a gluten-free farro-esque experience, opt instead for other grains like buckwheat groats, quinoa, or brown rice. 

What is farro salad?

What is farro salad? It’s a treat if you ask us! A standard farro salad is made with chewy, nutty farro (the star of the show, of course), arugula, apples, and typically a tangy vinaigrette to spike the flavor into the stratosphere. Goat cheese and/or feta are also often in the mix. All in all, a farro salad is an un-farro-gettable experience. Check, please! 


About the Author

Joe Rumrill

Joe Rumrill is a fictional one-eyed spinach-loving sailor created in 1929 by E.C Se- Wait, no, that's not right... Joe Rumrill is a stand up comedian and writer currently based in Los Angeles. His favorite thing about food is a close tie between the taste and the nutrients one gets from it. His least favorite thing about it is the "gritty, dirt-like quality some food has", but he's most likely referring to the time in third grade he was dared to eat playground sand.

Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!

Your thoughts.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *