Week 18- Flour 50lbs per person!

Week 18: FLOUR 50 lbs per person (put in freezer or it will get bugs) Be sure and rotate. Counts towards grain requirement.

How many times have you reached into your cupboard only to find that the flour you bought last month is crawling with weevils or smells rancid? Proper preparation and storage of flour will help prevent bug infestations and make your flour last for up to 7 months.

Here's How:

1. Put flour in strong, food grade plastic bag. If the flour bag is packaged in paper, put the whole bag inside a food grade plastic bag.
   
2. Remove excess air from bag.
   
3. Freeze flour for two days, 48 hours, to kill off weevils or insect eggs in the flour.
   
4. Store flour in a food grade plastic container with tight fitting lid. Keep in cool, dark place to prevent insects from getting at the flour and to prevent sunlight from spoiling the flour.

Tips:

1. Keeping flour in the refrigerator will prevent spoiling.
   
2. Keep your storage area clean to prevent insect infestation.
   
3. Multiple 5 pound bags of flour can be frozen individually and stored in a food grade plastic tub with tight-fitting lid.
   
   

   How to Grind Flour at Home

• Choose the grain you want to grind into flour. Pick wheat grains, quinoa or any other variety that you prefer.
• 2
  Place the seeds in a large colander. Rinse with running cold water to remove the powdery coating from the seeds that if not washed properly can impart a bitter taste in the flour. Use your hands to gently rub the seeds.
• 3
  Transfer the seeds to a wire mesh strainer to remove any extra water. Spread the seeds on paper towels to absorb the remaining moisture.
• 4
  Spread the seeds on baking sheets and let air dry completely. Place the sheets in a dry area with plenty of air circulation.

Grinding

• 1
  Use a mortar and pestle to manually grind dry grain seeds. This method is time consuming but is among the best ways to obtain the finest quality flour. Add a small amount of seeds to the mortar at a time and crush them with a pestle in a rhythmic motion. Press the seeds against the sides of the mortar to break the grain. Continue until the seeds are finely grounded into the consistency of flour.
• 2
  Choose a manual or electrical coffee mill to grind the flour easily. Put the grain in the mill and press the electric mill's start button or move the crank of the manual mill in a circular motion. Set the grinding level in the electrical appliance according to your preference.
• 3
  Try a manual seed grinder. Attach the grinder to your counter top with its fitted clamp. Place an empty bowl beneath the seed grinder and pour seeds into the open mouth of the appliance. Move the handle in a circular motion to grind the grain into fine quality flour.
• 4
  Work with an electric seed grinder. Add the grain to the compartment. Use the lid to control the movement of the blade and grind coarse or fine flour. To get a very fine flour, let the blade spin until the flour resembles a powder