Farming business hopes to bring ancient grains to modern diets

Global Business

On California’s Central Pacific Coast, Kandarian Organic Farms blends everyday farming with archaeology.

While most farmers grow a handful of crops, Kandarian grows 200 different kinds-some dating back to the dawn of agriculture.

CCTV America’s Mark Niu reports.

“Teff, literally in Ethiopia, means lost. And you see we just did lose it then,” said Larry Kandarian, the Owner of Kandarian Organic Farms. Of all the ancient grains at Kandarian Organic Farms, the Teff is the oldest.

In fact, Kandarian said it’s the first grain ever eaten by man. He was hoping to introduce Einkorn to the American diet.

“My whole business is predicated upon selling whole foods that are nutritious for your body, that you use all parts of it,” Kandarian said. “Some people say, ‘We don’t like that fiber, we want that bran out.’ Well guess what, your body can handle the bran and it’s a hell of a lot better for you than eating that other stuff that doesn’t have much in it and once they take the outside off and germs in it, then they have to add a bunch of chemicals.”

But even as Kandarian grows seeds with names like Emmer Farrow, he’s not worried about consumers raising their eyebrows.

Kandarian said many of his ancient grains are better tolerated by people with gluten sensitivity, which is why he’s working with bakers to develop bread recipes.