Grand Teton Ancient Grains: Preserving the Legacy of Einkorn Wheat
By Brian Howard for Rexburg Commons
Teton, Idaho — In a small town nestled at the base of the Grand Teton mountains, Jade Koyle, the president of Grand Teton Ancient Grains, is on a mission to preserve the legacy of einkorn wheat. Einkorn, the most primitive form of wheat, has caught the attention of food enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals due to its unique properties compared to modern wheat.
The journey began when Jade’s friend, Stan, introduced him to einkorn wheat, a rare and scarcely available grain. Intrigued by the grain’s history and potential, Jade decided to explore further. With Stan’s collaboration, they started a blog dedicated to einkorn, which quickly garnered attention from people worldwide who shared their enthusiasm for this ancient wheat.
“We were contacted by people from all over the world—individuals like us who had discovered einkorn and were eager to get their hands on it,” said Jade Koyle. The Koyles decided to relocate from Utah to Idaho, Jade’s home state, and started an organic family farm as a hobby side business.
The initial process was slow and done on a small scale, mostly as a family endeavor. They managed to obtain einkorn seed from a farmer in Germany and a few other farmers in the Northwest United States who were also interested in this grain.
Today, Grand Teton Ancient Grains supplies einkorn to customers worldwide, with a significant market in the United States. They also cater to large commercial buyers, such as bakeries, who purchase einkorn by the truckload.
Remarkably, the company’s growth has been largely organic, with minimal marketing efforts. Jade explained, “Other than putting up the website and talking about it, we haven’t done a lot of marketing, which is really unusual.”
A significant factor in the company’s success is the involvement of Jade’s brother, Jaxon, who joined the business full-time in 2018. Jaxon, a mechanical engineer, brought essential expertise in developing systems and processes necessary for cleaning and processing the grain. He also designed a flour mill system that produces high-quality einkorn flour.
With a focus on preserving ancient seeds and making them available as food, Grand Teton Ancient Grains emphasizes the uniqueness of einkorn. Unlike modern wheat with 42 chromosomes, einkorn contains only 14 chromosomes, and it is higher in protein and antioxidants. This distinction makes it a sought-after choice for those with special dietary or health considerations.
Visiting their packaging facility, it’s clear how Grand Teton Ancient Grains turns raw einkorn into clean, food-grade products. The grain goes through meticulous cleaning and processing, ensuring that customers receive top-quality einkorn flour.
Jade and his family are passionate about not only preserving einkorn but also exploring other ancient grains’ potential. While einkorn remains their flagship product, they continue to experiment with various grains, understanding their unique flavor and nutritional profiles.
Jade’s wife, Julie, is an essential part of the venture, as she contributes a wealth of knowledge through einkorn-based recipes on their website. The local community has also embraced their passion, with several people in the area taking an interest in einkorn and its benefits.
Reflecting on the journey, Jade shared, “When it first started, we didn’t expect that we would one day be farming this and processing it. But it just slowly continues to grow based on the demand that’s there.”
However, with current production levels, Grand Teton Ancient Grains faces a challenge in meeting customer demands fully. They aim to bring more organic farmers on board in the area to expand production and ensure a steady supply of this ancient grain.
“I’m not from Teton originally. I’m from Gooding, but my wife is from this area, and I’ve grown to love the people and the community. One of the things I enjoy most is that I’m working with my family and the community,” Jade Koyle said with a smile.
As the demand for ancient grains continues to rise, Grand Teton Ancient Grains stands as a testament to the dedication and passion required to preserve and promote the legacy of einkorn wheat, a grain that has transcended time to provide unique and wholesome nutrition to people around the world.
You can learn more about Grand Teton Ancient Grains on their website https://www.ancientgrains.com/ and Instagram @grandtetonfamily.
Comments
Post a Comment