Kernza® is the first commercially available perennial grain and is a substitute for traditional wheat in foods such as flour, bread, tortillas, crackers, pasta and beer or can be used as a whole grain ingredient.
It’s extensive root system prevents erosion, cleans water, mitigates nitrate leaching, improves soil health, and sequesters more atmospheric carbon than traditional wheat.
Kernza® grain is harvested from intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium). It’s closely related to annual wheat and has been historically grown as fodder for livestock. The Land Institute, a non-profit research, education and policy organization based in Salina, Kansas, began breeding Kernza for human consumption in 2003.
Kernza’s commercial launch is the result of an unprecedented coalition of land grant universities, farmers, research partners, processors, and CPG companies from 15 states and 10 countries, including leadership from the University of Minnesota’s Forever Green Initiative.
Today the emerging crop is grown on nearly 4,000 acres across the U.S. & Canada and is being sold to sustainability focused brands and consumers.
Mad Agriculture represents the Perennial Promise Growers’ Cooperative, a collective of 27 farmers across the upper Midwest, that account for 30% of the total active U.S. Kernza acres.
Environmental
Improves soil’s ability to retain water, prevents runoff, and reduces soil erosion
May reduces nitrate leaching into groundwater by 95%
Provides diverse wildlife habitat
Kernza production reduces greenhouse gas emissions due to reduced tillage and inputs
Perennial grasslands, like Kernza, sequester 300 - 1,000 pounds of atmospheric carbon per acre per year
Formulation & Flavor
Flavor: Kernza has a unique sweet & nutty flavor profile.
High in protein, fiber, potassium, carotenoids, calcium, and antioxidants - especially when compared to wheat
It performs more like rye in baking applications
Kernza is most often used as a blended ingredient with Common inclusions rates between 10-50%
Long Root Ale, Fusilli Pasta
Honey Toasted Kernza Clusters Cereal
Flour & Pancake Mixes, Crackers
Kernza Perennial Grain Facts, The Land Institute
Kernza Perennial Grain as a Cereal Grain, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
Baking with Kernza: An In Depth Analysis & Introduction, Perennial Pantry
Recent Press
Whole Foods Market “Grains with a Purpose”, Kernza named top 10 trends in 2022
Washington Post “A Recipe for Fighting Climate Change and Feeding the World”
Organic & Non-GMO Report “Organic and Conventional Farmers see the Promise of Perennial Grain”
Food Business News “Kernza, a grain used by General Mills, increases in acreage”
Meet a Kernza Grower
