What Is Spelt?

[blondebombshell]

yesterday i was at a bakery that had gluten free cupcakes as well as spelt cupcakes. there was a sign up explaing what spelt was but i dont get it, lol.

is it safe for those that are gluten-free?

[HAK1031]

nope- spelt is a variety of wheat. wikipedia explains it well.

[cruelshoes]

Spelt is an ancient form of wheat. It can sometimes be tolerated by people with a wheat allergy, but it is not safe for those on a gluten free diet because the molecular structure is too similar. It is often marketed as "wheat free", but it is not gluten free.

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Spelt (Triticum spelta) is a hexaploid species of wheat. Spelt was an important staple in parts of Europe from the Bronze Age to medieval times; it now survives as a relict crop in Central Europe and has found a new market as a health food. Spelt is sometimes considered a subspecies of the closely related species common wheat (T. aestivum), in which case its botanical name is considered to be Triticum aestivum subsp. spelta.

Spelt is closely related to common wheat, and is not suitable for people with celiac disease. It is possible that spelt is suitable for people with a wheat allergy

[cattriona]

i've heard that spelt contains a lot less gluten than wheat, so it's ok every now and again if you can tolerate it, but if you're a celiac and sensitive - probably just better to leave it

[aikiducky]

Spelt does contain less gluten than wheat. But think about it this way - if you eat a spelt cookie or cupcake or something, that's a pretty substantial amount of spelt. If a celiac has to be careful about cross contamination and even a bread crumb can make us sick - don't you think a whole cookie, even out of spelt, is going to have more gluten in it than that. Cheating with spelt -> BAD idea.

Pauliina

[Takala]

The deliberate marketing of spelt with the "implication" that it is safe for gluten intolerants or celiacs ought to be a crime.

It's like marketing beer or wine to alcoholics and saying it's much safer because it's not hard liquor like scotch or vodka.

Spelt = Wheat, as far as we are concerned.

[sickchick]

Spelt is SPROUTED WHEAT stay far far away from it!!!!