How do you start your day when you’re on lockdown? Let’s think about it. If you’re like me, you’re probably anxious enough without caffeine. You also probably want to conserve on your resources as much as possible. You could probably use some food-derived extra b-vitamins and minerals.
For centuries the Japanese have enjoyed the flavor of Soba Tea. Traditionally it is made with toasted whole buckwheat groats. Wheat was almost a dirty word for a while and buckwheat gets undo suspicion for its name.
I’m a fan of wheat and grains in general, but you can still love buckwheat even if you’re not. It is not wheat, not even a grain, but a seed.
Buckwheat happens to be one of the densest foods in an immune-enhancing bioflavonoid called rutin. You can also find rutin in citrus peels and bell peppers, but the amount in buckwheat is far above any other food source. It is also high in all of the b-vitamins, fiber, and magnesium. It even has a decent amount of resistant starch.
But the real point of this is that it tastes great as a beverage. The trick is the roasting. If it is not roasted enough there is not much flavor. If it gets burnt, it’s just bad.
I take 2 cups of buckwheat groats and pull out any debris or broken groats. Don’t rinse.
Heat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and get a rack ready for the middle. Put on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Put the grains in the oven and give them a shake every 10 minutes. The goal is to have them about this color.
