Farro is also considered to be one of the ancient grains we still grow. This grain is found in the old Egyptian tombs and was also used as a staple food in the ancient Roman Empire. Now, Farro is commonly cooked in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern households.
So, what does Farro taste like?
Farro is rich in taste, and you can feel an oaty and barley-ish taste with a hint of sweetness. That is why it pairs perfectly with pasta, bread, and different bakery items.
If you want to know how you can cook Farro and what health benefits you will enjoy by eating these grains, then continue reading!
Table of Content
Why Should You Eat Farro? (The Reason is More Than Its Taste)
Farro is a grain produced on a wheat-like plant that is also from the wheat family. Due to the resemblance, some people mistake a farro grain with wheat grain. Both are different grains with different nutritional values and tastes.
As mentioned above, farro grains taste great. When you take the first bite, your tongue will start feeling the sensations like you are eating barley, oats, and brown rice all at once. So, whenever people ask, does Farro taste like rice? We answer yes, a little like light brown rice. Their nutty, cinnamony, cashew-y, and a little sweet flavor entice you to add them to almost every dish.
Farro flour is also used to make pasta, bread, and many other bakery items. In dishes, Farro can be used in soups, salads, burgers, risotto (Farrotto), farina, and pilafs.
But the rich taste is not the only thing you will enjoy if you include Farro in your diet. Farro’s health benefits are also an added advantage if you make a habit of eating these cooked grains. A bowl of Farro is an excellent source of proteins, fiber, vitamins (especially A, B, and E), antioxidants, and minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium. These nutrients work in harmony and provide you with the following health benefits:
- Prevention from Cancer
- Reduced inflammation
- Weight loss
- Stronger memory
- Improved heart health
- Stronger immunity
- Eye protection & improved vision
- Prevention from anemia
- Better insulin response
Another question we often get is, Is Farro gluten-free? Farro does have gluten, but in low amounts, so a little bit of cooked Farro can be tolerated by those who have gluten allergies.
Farro nutrition content in one serving is:
| Calories | 150 |
| Carbohydrates | 32g |
| Proteins | 6g |
| Fat | 1g |
| Saturated fat | 0g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Potassium | 177 mg |
| Calcium | 12 mg |
| Iron | 1 mg |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
Want to know about Farro’s Appearance? It looks a little bit like barley, but the farro grains are elongated. Moreover, the Farro texture is a little firm due to the outer layering. So, removing the outer layering or soaking the grains in water is important to make them soft.
Now, Check out how you can cook farro grains!
Farro Recipe: What Does Farro Taste Like
Long grains of Farro take more time to cook than short grains. But there are different kinds of Farro available that can be cooked faster. Pearled Farro is a type of Farro that has the outer layer removed, so the cooking is faster. Similarly, semi-pearled Farro is another type that is short in size and with outer layering may or may also not be removed. Both of these farro types are soft and can be cooked within minutes.
Here’s how to cook a Farro.
- Take one cup of rinsed Farro and three cups of water for cooking.
- Add the water to a pot and turn the stove on.
- Let the water boil before adding farro grains and half a tablespoon of salt.
- After a few minutes of cooking, the grains will become soft and chewy. Generally, it takes around 15 minutes to cook pearl farro, 30 minutes to cook semi-pearled Farro, and around 40-45 minutes if you are cooking whole grain.
- Next, get rid of excess water and stir or gently pat the grains with a fork.
Note: If you want to reduce the cooking time of Farro, soak the grains in the water overnight. Moreover, cooking the farro grains in a pressure cooker can take almost 10-12 minutes only.
Now, these cooked grains are ready to be added to make:
- Farro soups
- Farro pasta
- Farro salads
- Risotto and any other dishes.
What does farro risotto taste like? Risotto is a great food that is loved by thousands. You can experience different kinds of flavors due to the ingredients. However, the general taste you will feel is nutty, creamy, and a little barley-ish.
What does Farro pasta taste like? Farro pasta is chewy, which tastes nuttier and oaty. You can also rich it in taste by adding different ingredients like lemon juice, tomato sauce, berry sauce, etc.
What does Farro Soup taste like? Farro soup tastes cinnamony, cashew-y, and a little sweet.
What does Farro salad taste like? Farro salads are one of the most nutritious things you can eat. It is rich in proteins, carbs, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Farro salads taste a little sweet and oaty at the same time.
Can You Eat Raw Farro?
Yes, you can eat raw Farro, but first, you have to rinse the grains with fresh water and then soak them in water overnight. Farro grains have a little tougher texture which will become soft due to the soaking. Hence, digesting the Farro grains will become easy for the stomach.
How To Store Farro?
You have purchased the Farro or cooked it but have no idea how you can properly store the grains? We are also here to tell you this.
How To Store Uncooked Farro?
You can store the raw farro grains in a pantry or refrigerator for six months. Make sure you first put the grains in a bag because it will ruin them if they come into contact with moisture.
How To Store Cooked Farro?
You should cover the cooked Farro with something before putting the dish in the refrigerator. We recommend you eat cooked Farro within the four days of cooking.
FAQs
Question: Is Farro better than rice?
Answer: Yes, Farro is more nutritious than rice. It contains a higher amount of fiber (5g) and higher protein content (6g) than white and brown rice. Therefore, nutritionists have declared the Farro healthier than the rice.
Question: Does Farro help you lose weight?
Answer: Yes, Farro is a great substitute for gluten-rich and refined grains. Moreover, farro grains are high in fiber, so you will feel full for hours after eating a farro grain meal. Since you will feel full, you will not eat snacks, and the weight loss will become easy.
Question: Is Farro healthier than Quinoa?
Answer: Farro has more fiber content and minerals than Quinoa. So, it is healthier than Quinoa (which is also a good source of proteins and vitamins). Thus, you can replace the Quinoa with the Farro to enjoy a healthier dish.
Final Words
All-inclusive, Farro is an ancient grain that has been used in cooking for centuries. The use of this grain in cooking went downhill from the last century. But it is now again becoming popular, and the reason is its taste. You asked, what does Farro taste like? And we gave you the perfect description. Farro tastes like barley, oats, and brown rice all at once. It has a nutty, sweet, cashew-y, and cinnamony flavor that feels great on the tongue. So, if you haven’t tried this ancient grain before, we suggest you go for it without any hesitation.
