Farro benefits your health as a worthy source of protein, zinc, iron, magnesium, and more.

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Farro benefits are nothing new: The venerable and nutritious wheat is said to have sustained the Romans as they conquered the world 7,000 years ago. Legend has it that Julius Caesar himself brought farro (triticum dicoccon) to Italy after invading Egypt in 30 B.C. Known as “the Pharoah’s wheat” because it was the only type cultivated in pharaonic times, this high‑energy grain was a staple in Roman society.

Farro is the Italian name for this hulled ancient mother grain. Also known as emmer wheat, farro is credited for giving rise to modern wheat. It’s often confused with spelt (triticum spelta), but they’re two distinct—though closely related—grains.

Farro can help us feel more full, helping in any efforts to lose weight. It’s shown here as a key ingredient in a creative salad.

Farro Benefits Include Zinc, Magnesium, and More

Armed with more than twice the protein and fiber of modern wheat, each grain of farro packs a nutritious punch. It’s rich in magnesium, niacin, zinc, and iron, and it also provides a complete protein source when combined with legumes. (See also our post Legumes: Boost Your Health with This Powerful Family of Foods.)

Farro has a low gluten content with more fragile gluten molecules than those of modern wheat, making it easier to digest, and sometimes tolerable for many gluten-intolerant individuals. An excellent source of whole grains and complex carbohydrates, farro can play a significant role in maintaining healthy body weight, and reducing diabetes, heart disease, and cardiovascular disease risk, as well as helping to prevent certain forms of cancer.

Nutrition Power

Farro is rich in minerals, antioxidants, lignans, phytonutrients, and fiber. Its magnesium content is important in glucose and insulin secretion, which helps fight metabolic syndrome, a strong predictor of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

New studies have found that betaine, present in whole grains like farro, may work together with choline to prevent chronic- and stress-induced inflammation.

Research shows also that farro contains a special type of carbohydrate called cyanogenic glucosides that stimulate the immune system, lower cholesterol, and play a role in blood clotting.

In the Kitchen: Where Farro Benefits Start

Farro is sold whole, semi-pearled, and pearled (which determines cooking time), and is also available as flour and pasta. The grain looks like plump barley and may be successfully interchanged in recipes calling for spelt, barley, and quinoa, though cooking times will vary.

Look for pearlized farro (farro perlato) and prepare as you would rice:

• Use a 2:1 liquid-to-grain ratio
• Add farro to boiling water or broth
• Simmer covered for 25 to 35 minutes to desired tenderness
• Drain any unabsorbed liquid

Enjoy farro’s distinctly nutty flavor and al dente bite in soups and stews, as a rice substitute, or in salads. Join the resurgence of this mother grain that has caught the eye of both gourmets and the health-conscious.