Sorghum
Overview (Gluten Free)
Sorghum grain has a long history dating back thousands of years in both Africa and India. Today, this versatile grain is grown and used all over the world. Its ability to tolerate poor growing conditions has made it one of America’s leading crops, particularly with the rising interest in gluten-free foods. Sorghum flour works well for baking bread, pastries, and cookies. Its taste is quite similar to wheat flour.
Sorghum flour has a mild flavor, so it doesn’t compete with other ingredients when baking. It improves texture and has a lower glycemic index than other flours, which makes it popular as a substitute for white flour or even wheat flour. Since sorghum doesn’t have gluten, it is necessary to add ½ teaspoon of Xanthan gum (or other binders such as cornstarch, guar gum or egg whites) per cup of sorghum flour when baking cookies and cakes, or 1 teaspoon per cup of flour when baking bread.
The Royal Lee Mill
Nutrition
Sorghum flour is available commercially in both whole grain form (the entire grain is milled) or as white sorghum flour (the hull is removed before milling.) The whole grain variety contains the nutrients in the outer casing of the grain, while the white flour version does not. If you are home milling, you will mill the whole grain since no home flour mills have the ability to separate the outer hull of the grain.
Note: Weight of a cup (or partial cup) of flour varies depending upon whether it is lightly sprinkled into a measuring cup or compacted. Most recipe measurements are based on sifted flour as a way to arrive at more uniform measurement.
Gluten Content & Allergen Information
Sorghum is gluten-free, which makes sorghum flour an excellent choice for anyone with Celiac disease, gluten allergies or gluten intolerance. When baking with sorghum flour, a gluten-free binder will be needed to keep the bread from being too crumbly.
While sorghum flour is inherently gluten-free, it may be contaminated with wheat during processing. Make sure to purchase grains specifically marked as gluten-free.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 Cup |
| Calories | 632 |
| Total Fat 7g | 9% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 4mg | 1% |
| Carbohydrates 138g | 46% |
| Dietary Fiber 13g | 44% |
| Total Sugars 0g |
| Protein 20g |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 25mg | 2% |
| Iron 6mg | 34% |
| Potassium 0mg | 0% |
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Diet Compatibility
Paleo Diet
The Paleo Diet seeks to emulate the hunter-gatherer diet of our stone-age ancestors. The emphasis is on wild plants and meats similar to what ancient man would have consumed. As such, dairy products, refined sugar and processed oils are off limits. While many Paleo Diet followers also avoid grains, there is ample archaeological evidence to show that grains were part of Paleolithic era man’s diet.
Compatibility with Sorghum Flour:
Not Compatible
Mediterranean Diet
This diet seeks to emulate the diets of those living along the Mediterranean coast, with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood/fish at least twice a week, limited servings of poultry, and only occasional sweets and red meat.
Compatibility with Sorghum Flour:
Compatible
Gluten-Free Diet
As the name suggests, the gluten-free diet eliminates all foods with gluten. Although most of those on a gluten-free diet are on it out of necessity—either due to severe wheat allergies or Celiac disease—many have embraced a gluten-free diet as being healthier.
Compatibility with Sorghum Flour:
Compatible
Macrobiotic Diet
Although there are many versions of macrobiotic diets, the common thread is that they emphasize natural, whole foods, grown locally and organically. Whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, seeds and nuts, and occasional seafood are all integral to the diet. Red meats, dairy, poultry, eggs and processed foods are off the menu.
Compatibility with Sorghum Flour:
Compatible in Small Amounts
Acid Alkaline Diet
This diet aims to restore the slightly alkaline state of the body, which is believed to be ideal. By focusing on a diet high in vegetables, fruits, sprouted grains, lentils, almonds and soy products, the goal is to have a balance of 80% alkalizing foods and 20% acid forming foods.
Compatibility with Sorghum Flour:
Compatible – Sorghum Flour is considered to be highly acidic
Low-Carb Diet
As the name suggests, this diet focuses on reducing carbohydrates in the diet to lose weight. The theory is that by staying away from high-carb foods like pasta and bread and eating low carb, high fiber vegetables and fruits instead, your body will go into ketosis and you will lose weight. This diet is sometimes referred to as a ketogenic diet.
Compatibility with Sorghum Flour:
Compatible in extremely limited quantities
Atkins Diet
The Atkins Diet is a historically popular low carb diet, instructing dieters not to worry about their calories but to monitor and minimize their intake of sugar and carbohydrates. According to Dr. Atkins, depriving the body of its primary energy sources causes the body to burn fat.
Compatibility with Sorghum Flour:
Compatible in extremely limited quantities
“We love the mill! We use it every day for things from bread, to pastry and it is phenomenal. The biggest selling point for me was the fineness since that would mean we can really do some great pastry with it in addition to bread. It definitely has been great!"
BEN FROM NORTH CAROLINA